Related Experiment Videos
Sequestration of staphylococci at an inaccessible focus
Lancet (London, England)
|August 4, 1979
Summary
Staphylococcal arthritis persisted due to bacteria hiding inside white blood cells, unaffected by nafcillin. Rifampin, which enters these cells, successfully cleared the infection, highlighting intracellular bacterial persistence.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Staphylococcal arthritis is a serious joint infection.
- Nafcillin is a common antibiotic used to treat staphylococcal infections.
Observation:
- A patient with staphylococcal arthritis did not respond to nafcillin treatment.
- Staphylococci were found sequestered within the patient's leukocytes (white blood cells).
Findings:
- Intracellular staphylococci were protected from the bactericidal effects of nafcillin.
- Rifampin, an antibiotic capable of penetrating leukocyte membranes, successfully eradicated the infection.
Implications:
- Intracellular bacterial persistence can cause treatment failure in infections.
- Considering intracellular sequestration is crucial for managing refractory bacterial infections.