Staph+Infection+Sp14

Staph infection/daptomycin and vancomycin
 * DISEASE/DRUG OF INTEREST **:


 * MOTIVATION AND BACKGROUND **:

Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as staph infection, is a cluster of bacteria that got its name from its grape-like shape. This bacterium is a member of the Firmicutes phylum of bacteria which is known to target and affect the epidermis. It was first discovered in 1881 when a Scottish surgeon, Sir Alexander Ogston, identified the bacterium as a cause for wound infection [2]. Not only is this strain of bacteria responsible for wound infection but it is also known to generally cause painful skin infections and, if somehow ingested, could also cause food poisoning. However, in its most serious form, Staphylococcus aureus can even be fatal. A person with staph infection is prone to a variety of illnesses from skin infections to malicious diseases such as meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia. Therefore, not only is staph infection harmful to the epidermis of the human body, but it also can damage other parts of the body because of how it can act as a medium for other life-threatening diseases to enter the body. Staph infection has become such a common yet significant disease that it has affected many people throughout the world. The most peculiar fact about the disease is that it has been around since the 1880s and is continuing to infect people till this day. Despite all the advances in technology that occurred from the 20th century to now, it has not put an end to this malicious disease. The unique characteristics of this type of bacteria are that it can withstand harsh environmental conditions as well as spread to other people. Staphylococcus is more resistant to drying because of its cocci shape bacteria and can survive extremes of temperature and high levels of salt [3]. In addition to S. aureus’s durability, it has also been able to adapt and develop resistances to antibiotics. In the 20 th century, staph infection was dealt with because of the introduction of penicillin; however, persistent use of this antibiotic has allowed S. aureus to develop immunities against penicillin. Even with the introduction of another type or form of pencillin, methicillin, S. aureus has even begun developing resistances against that antibiotic as well [1]. As a result of these adaptations and resilient characteristics, S. aureus has infected many people and the populations most susceptible to it are people who stay in hospitals. As ironic as the setting is, hospitals are a wonderful environment for the Staphylococcus since it can infect patients that have weakened immune systems, burns, wounds, and serious underlying health problems [3]. Furthermore, the bacteria can be strengthened by the antibiotics that the hospital administers to its patients in response to the outbreak of staph infection. Figure 1-Microscopic image of Staphylococcus Aureus.Figure 2- Scanning electron micrograph of methicillin-resistant S. aureus and a human neutrophil.


 * TARGET INFORMATION and ****DRUG INFORMATION: **

Constant research by pharmaceutical companies and such has allowed for the creation of many medicines that can combat certain diseases in a variety of ways such as targeting specific proteins and other cells in the human body. The drug daptomycin or Cubicin, manufactured by Novartis, gets rid of S. aureus by specifically targeting called Gram positive bacteria. The location of the Gram positive bacteria is in the blood stream. The Gram positive bacteria have functions to create proteins and genetic material that they need to multiply and survive in order to manifest throughout the body. These functions are not necessary for the host’s body. To stop the Gram positive bacteria in the blood stream from multiplying, the daptomycin is put into the patient through intravenous infusion. Once daptomycin is in the body it binds to the cell membranes of the bacteria and causes them to lose potassium. As a result the daptomycin inhibits the bacteria by causing a reaction that stops the bacteria from making proteins and multiplying and kills the bacteria. Daptomycin proves to be an effective antibiotic as it kills the Gram positive bacteria causing the symptoms which will eventually be gone once the medicine has successfully rid the patient of Staphylococcus auerus. Figure 3-Schematic figure of daptomycin More about the drug, daptomycin or cubicin, is that it is patented by Eagle Pharmaceuticals. Daptomycin can be used for a variety of bacterial infections. It is also made from a species of actinobacteria called Streptomyces roseosporus. The molecular formula for daptomycin is C 72 H 101 N 17 O 26 and its molecular weight is 755.66 grams. The CAS number of daptomycin is 500872-​31-​1. Daptomycin has been known to cause side effects that include: headache, anxiety, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, anemia, urinary tract infection, fungal infections or rashes, pain, nausea, muscle pain, kidney problems, and joint pain. Aside from the details of the medicine, it is currently going through 21 clinical trials for the treatment of bacterial infections. If people have no access to daptomycin, than there are many alternatives to the drug when dealing with bacterial infections like Staphylococcus aureus. One substitute or alternative would be vancomycin which is another antibiotic that is used to treat S. aureus. One future alternative for medicine that is currently in research is the inhibition of a protein called RAP, which controls the production of toxins and other proteins that make S. aureus pathogenic [4]. Apart from using medication to deal with this disease, prevention is another way to ensure that one does not contract the disease or infection from the environment or another individual. Inspect body of individual or one’s self for staph infections like looking for boils, rashes, and other symptoms. Clean one’s nails and keep them trimmed in order to prevent scratching in case you accidentally scratch a boil or some symptom that can be seen or irritated on one’s skin. Bathe one’s self with antimicrobial soap or water with a small concentration of bleach inside it to keep your body clean and kill any bacteria that may be S. aureus [5]. Wash your hands to avoid germs or bacteria. Keep wounds cleaned and covered. Clothing and towels must be changed and washed often in order to avoid the risk of Staphylococcus aureus being on them. If one is a female, she should change tampon frequently to reduce the risk of getting toxic shock syndrome which relates to Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, avoid or minimize contact with other people since there is a chance that the bacteria causing the disease may be on the clothing or the body of that individual. By taking these precautionary steps, one will be less likely to get the disease and if they do, than they can just refer back to what was mentioned earlier in the paper about the treatments and medication that are available to counteract or get rid of staph infection.


 * REFERENCES: **
 * 1)  Kim, S.; Lee, K. L.; Baek, H. L.; Jang, S. J.; Moon, S. M.; Cho, Y. K., A Case of Acute Pyogenic Sacrolittesand Bacteremia Caused by Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Infect Chemother 2013, 45, (4), 441-445.
 * 2)  Orent, W., A Brief History of Staph, Protomag 2006.
 * 3)  Staph Infections, Mayo Clinic 2011.
 * 4)  Strauss, E., A possible new approach to combating Staph infections. Science 1998,280 (5362), 379.
 * 5)  Kirn, T. F., Educate About Repeated Staph Skin Infections. Pediatric News 2006, 40, (9), 21.