Staphylococcus biological samples:
Utilization in research and sourcing

The development of drugs and diagnostic tests for the treatment and detection of Staphylococcal infection requires conducting studies on biological samples obtained from patients infected by staphylococcus.

Here's a brief overview of various infectious diseases caused by staphylococcus  and how the service provided by Labtoo contributes to accelerating R&D projects in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Are you looking for biological samples from patients with Staphylococcus?

What are Staphylococci?

Staphylococci are aerobic Gram-positive microorganisms that frequently colonize the skin and external nasal mucosa in humans as well as animals. Although often considered harmless, they can become pathogenic by invading deep tissues of the body, such as the blood, bones, heart, or lungs. The ability of certain strains to develop antibiotic resistance poses a major challenge in the medical field.

Staphylococci can be transmitted in several ways: through skin infection when it enters an open wound, through vaginal infection, especially with prolonged use of tampons, or from child to mother through the breast during breastfeeding.

Staphylococci are numerous but can be classified based on their ability to produce coagulase, a specific enzyme responsible for the coagulation of blood plasma, referred to as:

Coagulase-positive Staphylococci

Coagulase-positive Staphylococci are generally the most pathogenic. There are several, but the most representative is Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as golden staphylococcus. Golden staphylococcus is mainly transmitted through skin lesions or during surgical procedures and is a major cause of nosocomial infections (infections in a hospital setting), in conjunction with other pathogens such as Escherichia coli.

In addition to direct contact infections, golden staphylococcus can cause food poisoning when present in food through heat-resistant toxins it produces.

Coagulase-negative Staphylococci

Although Staphylococcus aureus is the most pathogenic, other coagulase-negative staphylococci, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis (white staphylococcus), can also cause diseases.

This type of staphylococcus often affects immunocompromised individuals or during the insertion of medical devices such as prostheses or grafts.

Staphylococci
Characteristic Symptoms
Affected Individuals
Staphylococcus aureus
- Skin infections
- Respiratory infections
-Food poisoning
-Systemic infections
All age groups, often individuals with weakened immune systems.
Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Device-associated infections
-Bloodstream infections 
Mainly hospitalized individuals or those with implanted medical devices
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
Urinary tract infections (cystitis, pyelonephritis) in young sexually active women
Mainly young sexually active women
Staphylococcus haemolyticus
 Device-associated infections
Mainly hospitalized individuals or those with implanted medical devices
Staphylococcus lugdunensis
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Endocarditis
- Infections associated with catheters and prostheses
- Endocarditis

 

Illustration of Staphylococcus.
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Explore Labtoo's Service for Your Biological Sample Research

Labtoo assists you in sourcing biological samples from patients with stahylococcal infections. Our team manages the entire project of transferring biological materials from inception to sample delivery.

  • Feasibility assessment of sample availability or clinical collection from referenced clinical centers
  • Validation of regulatory aspects
  • Establishment of a contractual framework
  • Dispatch of desired samples under appropriate conditions
  • Transfer of associated clinical data
  • Additional analytical and experimental services

Types of available samples

Biofluids

Urine

In the context of a urinary tract infection caused by a staphylococcus, a urine sample is collected to perform a cytobacteriological examination of urine (CBEU) in order to confirm the presence of the pathogenic agent. These samples can subsequently be preserved under appropriate conditions for future research projects.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

In severe cases of staphylococcal infection, particularly when meningitis is suspected, a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample may be collected.

Respiratory swabs

The staphylococcus bacterium is often present in the nasal passages of individuals, even without infection. Therefore, a nasal swab can be taken to determine if staphylococcus is present in the patient's nasal passages.

Other

Other types of biological samples can be collected for studying Staphylococcus. Among them, samples of sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid can be mentioned for patients with symptoms.

Tissues
Blood Derivatives
  • Fresh Tissues: Dermal biopsy in the context of a skin infection caused by staphylococci, such as samples taken from wounds, abscesses, or boils.
  • Frozen Tissues (OCT and FF)
  • FFPE Tissues
  • Whole blood: From patients with streptococcal infection, particularly those who have developed bacteremia.
  • PBMC (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells)
  • Plasma 
  • Serum

Typical associated clinical data

    • Age
    • Gender
    • Ethnicity
    • Detection Method
    • Serological result
    • Bacterial Load
    • Follow-up Treatment 
    • Simptomatology
    • Medical Imaging
    • Positivity/Negativity for certain Infections
    • Other Data (upon request)
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Our service identifies clinical sites capable of preparing and transferring a sample collection for a specific project.

Contact our team to discuss your project.

Symptoms of Staphylococcal infection 

Symptoms of staphylococcal infection vary depending on the location and severity of the infection. Here are some examples of symptoms:

Fever and chills

Frequently observed symptom in numerous infectious pathologies.

 

 

Skin infections

There are typically characterized by the formation of boils or impetigo, a contagious and painful skin rash, often accompanied by suppuration.

Food intoxications

Symptoms typically manifest within hours following ingestion and include nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, diarrhea, and dehydration. These effects usually diminish rapidly within approximately half a day.

 

 

A mastitis

Common in cases of breast infection. It is characterized by inflammation and the formation of abscesses in the breast.

Diagnosis and treatments of staphylococcus

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The initial steps of diagnosis involve culturing a blood sample or other biofluid, followed by Gram staining to identify staphylococci.

In cases of suspected staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, blood cultures, urine culture, and/or samples from the suspected infected area should be obtained.

Due to observed resistance in many strains, particularly to methicillin, an antibiogram is also conducted to guide the choice of appropriate antibiotic treatment against the infectious strain.

In cases of suspected osteomyelitis, medical imaging techniques such as X-ray, MRI, or bone scintigraphy are also utilized.

The choice of treatment depends on the site of infection, the severity of the illness, and the likelihood of antibiotic-resistant strains. Management typically involves abscess drainage, debridement of necrotic tissues, removal of foreign material in case of contamination, and administration of antibiotics.

 

Complications of staphylococcal infections

In cases of delayed or inadequate treatment of the infection, various potentially life-threatening complications may arise, including:

Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome

Similar to toxic shock caused by streptococci, it is triggered by a toxin produced by the bacterium.

Symptoms include sudden and high fever, a sunburn-like rash, headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and mental confusion.

This toxic shock is often associated with the use of menstrual tampons in women.

Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

A rare and severe skin condition characterized by skin fragility, making it prone to detachment.

This syndrome manifests as blister formation, open wounds, and skin inflammation.

Patients with this syndrome often experience recurrent skin infections and may require intensive medical treatment

Pneumonia: Lung infection characterized by elevated body temperature, severe cough, breathing difficulties, and bloody sputum.

Endocarditis: Infection of the heart valves, which can lead to heart failure.

Osteomyelitis: Infection of the bone tissues, characterized by fever and bone pain.

Septicemia: Blood infection, which can lead to septic shock.

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    Supplementary resources

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    Drug dev EN-1
    Antibiotic resistance FR