Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococci are Gram-positive bacteria, with diameters of 0.5 – 1.5 μm and characterised by individual cocci, which divide in more than one plane to form grape-like clusters. Gram staining is a staining technique used in microbiology to identify the cell wall structure of bacteria if a bacterium is gram-positive it has a cell wall higher in peptidoglycan and lower in lipid than gram-negative bacteria.

To date, there are 32 species and eight sub-species in the genus Staphylococcus, many of which preferentially colonize the human body, however Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the two most characterized and studied strains.

Staphylococcus aureus is found in the environment and is also found in normal human flora, located on the skin and mucous membranes (most often the nasal area) of most healthy individuals. Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen of increasing importance due to the rise in antibiotic resistance.

Staphylococcus aureus may colonize the human body as a part of the normal flora. Approximately 30 % of healthy people are inhabited by Staphylococcus aureus, mostly in the anterior nares. Staphylococcus aureus is also a leading cause of hospital-associated (HA) and community-associated (CA) bacterial infections in humans, associating with numerous mild skin and soft tissue infections, as well as life-threatening pneumonia, bacteraemia, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, sepsis and toxic shock syndrome.

The first-line of natural defense against Staphylococcus aureus is the native immune system and the next line of defense against Staphylococcus aureus infection is the use of antibiotics, but as with all antibiotics misuse or overuse of these agents has in part lead to resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus.
Staphylococcus aureus

Infection of E. coli O157:H7

During 2004-2005, three outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections occurred among agricultural fair, festival and petting zoo visitors in Arizona, Florida and North Carolina. No death occurred, and illnesses primarily affected children who visited petting zoo.

E. coli O157:H7 is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium E. coli. Although most strains are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this strain produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness.

E. coli O157:H7 is a toxin producing bacteria that causes intestinal disease in people which lasts about one week. Infection often causes severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps; sometimes the infection causes non-bloody diarrhea. Frequently, no fever is present.

E. coli

In some people, particularly children under 5 years of age and the elderly, the infection can also cause a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, in which the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail. About 2%-7% of infections lead to this complication.

In the United States, hemolytic uremic syndrome is the principal cause of acute kidney failure in children, and most cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome are caused by E. coli O157:H7.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a life-threatening condition usually treated in an intensive care unit. Blood transfusions and kidney dialysis are often required. With intensive care, the death rate for hemolytic uremic syndrome is 3%-5%.

Most epidemiologic investigations of E. coli O157:H7 infections have involved restaurant associate outbreaks. However, in California in 1993, three cases of culture-confirmed E. coli O157:H7 infections were traced to consumption of hamburger purchased at a local grocery store and cooked at home.
Infection of E. coli O157:H7

Yeast Infections in Children

Most yeast infections are caused by a type of fungus called Candida, it is normal for the Candida yeast to live in the human body.

Candidiasis or overgrowth of Candida albicans tends to occur in children depleted from tiredness, stress, poor diet or other illness. Candida albicans is a yeast that belongs to the commensal flora of the mouth, intestinal tract, vagina, and skin.

There is increasing awareness that candida overgrowth may account for a variety of chronic symptoms including food allergies, fatigue, behavioral problems, bloating, bowel disturbances, and itching.

Yeasts cells attach themselves to the mucous membranes in the body from mouth to anus and in the genitourinary tract.

Oral yeast infections are common disease, particularly for teenagers and men, it is also known as thrush or yeast infection of the mouth. Usually, it is easy to cure with medication if it is not caused by a chronic yeast infection.

The oral yeast infection looks like white patches on the mouth with red sore tissues. Some pole may experience pain during mastication and swallowing.
Taking antibiotics can cause some children to get yeasts infection. Antibiotics get rid of germs that make us sick, but they can also kill many of the harmless bacteria in human body.

These harmless bacteria normally fight with yeasts for a place to live, but when antibiotics kill them, the yeast is fee to grow.
Yeast Infections in Children

E. coli infection

Escherichia coli or E coli is a type of bacterium, a tiny singled celled organism that can live in many different environments.

E. coli normally lives inside the intestines, where it helps to body break down and digest the food. Unfortunately, certain types (called strains) of E. coli can get from the intestines into the blood.

E. coli is a Gram-negative enteric bacillus that is a common cause of urinary tract infections in normal people, in hospitalized patients with urethral catheters, and in men who have urethral obstruction due to prostate hypertrophy.

Most E. coli infections come from:
*Eating undercooked ground beef (the inside is pink).
*Drinking contaminated (impure) water
*Drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk
*Working with cattle

Outbreaks of E. coli have been associated with undercooked hamburger, raw cookie dough, unpasteurized milk, and produce such as inions, melons and spinach.

Waterborne transmission can occur from contaminated drinking water and recreational waters.

Although most strains of E. coli are harmless and exist as part of the normal gastrointestinal flora, infection usually results from certain non-indigenous strains.

Escherichia coli causes genitourinary tract infections and sepsis, It is often a cause of wound infections or cellulitis in the perianal area or other sites where fecal contamination has occurred.

People who are infected with E. coli are very contagious. Children shouldn't go to a day care center until they have 2 negative stool cultures (proof that the infection is gone). Older people in nursing homes should stay in bed until 2 stool cultures are negative.
E. coli infection

Infection by food

A person with an infection has another organism (a "germ") growing within him, drawing its nourishment from the person.

Pathogenic bacteria cause three types of foodborne illness:
*Infection
*Intoxication or poisoning
*Toxin-mediated infection

The term "infection" has some exceptions. For example, the normal growth of the usual bacterial flora in the intestinal tract is not usually considered an infection. The same consideration applies to the bacteria that normally inhabit the mouth.

Food infection is foodborne illness resulting from ingestion of food containing large numbers of living bacteria or other microorganism.

About 80% of bacterial foodborne illness are due to food infections.

Protozoa are minute unicellular animals responsible for the disease such as malaria and amebic dysentery. Transmission of protozoa may be from human to human through contaminated water or food.

The chain of infection includes virulence of the pathogen, transmission to the host, and entry into the host. Once these conditions are met, the pathogens can cause an infection.

Ingestion of contaminated food and water is also responsible for introducing a wide variety of pathogens into the body, including those responsible for hepatitis.

Typhoid fever also is a bacterial infection transmitted throughout contaminated food and water.

Food and waterborne disease are one of the major causes of illness to travelers, the most frequent being diarrhea. It can be caused by virus, bacteria or parasites which are found universally throughout the region.
Infection by food