Staphylococcal Disease Treatment

Staphylococcal Disease Treatment

Diagnosis 

This depends upon isolation of organisms from the site of infection.

Prevention 

Since staph is primarily transmitted by direct contact, strict hand washing is the single most effective measure against the spread of infection particularly in a new born nursery. Routine cultures of nasal swabs from personnel of new born nursery to detect asymptomatic carriers should be undertaken.

Treatment 

Therapy should consist of antimicrobial agents with surgery and general supportive measures when indicated. Abscess should be drained.

• Penicillin is administered only when the organism is sensitive.
• Cloxacillin or dicloxacillin are the drugs of choice in penicillin resistant infections.
• Methicillin 200mg/kg/day I/V divided into six hourly doses. Oxacillin 100 mg/kg/day I/M or I/V every 4 hours are also effective.
• Erythromycin or lincomycin are used in individuals allergic to penicillin or if indicated by the sensitivity tests.
• Cephalexin, an oral cephalosporin can also be employed.
• Cephalothin: Parenteral cephalothin is given in a dose of 60-100 mg/kg/day.
• Cefotaxime, a third generation cephalosporin, is given in serious infections parenterally 50-100 mg/kg/day.
• Aminoglycosides: Gentamycin, kanamycin and tobramycin may be effective against serious staph infection.
• Vancomycine and Fusidic acid are also employed.