Staphylococcus Aureus

Diseases caused by S. aureus include infections of the skin, bone, lungs, joints, central nervous system and heart. Toxin mediated diseases caused by this organism include food poisoning, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome, and scalded skin syndrome. Medical risk factors for S. aureus infection include diabetes, chronic liver disease, nutritional deficiencies, burns, and congenital and acquired immune deficiencies (Easmon, 83). S. aureus is a frequent cause of hospital acquired infection and risk factors for nosocomial infection include admission to an intensive care ward or burn unit, prolonged hospital stay, long term intravenous or central lines, and foreign bodies such as ...