18.1: Bacterial Infections of the Skin and Eyes
- Identify the most common bacterial pathogens that cause infections of the skin and eyes
- Compare the major characteristics of specific bacterial diseases affecting the skin and eyes
Despite the skin’s protective functions, infections are common. Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many skin conditions are not strictly associated with a single pathogen. Opportunistic pathogens of many types may infect skin wounds, and individual cases with identical symptoms may result from different pathogens or combinations of pathogens.
Staphylococcal Infections of the Skin
Key Concepts and Summary
- Staphylococcus causes many different types of skin infections, many of which occur when bacteria breach the skin barrier through a cut or wound.
- S. aureus are frequently associated with purulent skin infections that manifest as folliculitis , furuncles , or carbuncles . S. aureus is also a leading cause of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS).
- S. aureus is generally drug resistant and current MRSA strains are resistant to a wide range of antibiotics.
- Community-acquired and hospital-acquired staphyloccocal infections are an ongoing problem because many people are asymptomatic carriers.