THE STAPHYLOCOCCI SPECIES IN THE HUMAN ECOSYSTEM AND AS PATHOGENS OF HEALTHCARE – ASSOCIATED INFECTION

The human body, in its evolution, has developed as a distinct, stable ecosystem with established relationships of synergy and commensalism with the microorganisms residing within it. Staphylococci are an integral, structural-defining part of the human microbiome. Their nasal localization becomes a primary reservoir that, in hospital settings, supports the mechanism of spread and poses a risk to susceptible patients. Control of nasal staphylococcal colonization among staff in high-risk departments of general hospitals has shown, in recent years, a predominant presence of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS-MR), with a high epidemic potential. In the etiological aspect, we observe a decrease in the relative share of Staphylococcus aureus as a causative agent of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) from 73.42% in 2008 to 11.76% in 2022. Conversely, the frequency of infections associated with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) has increased, from 26.58% at the beginning of the observation period to 88.24% in 2022. The proportion of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS-MR) has also risen as part of all multi-drug-resistant bacterial species isolated from clinical samples. Strains with this type of resistance are primarily found in patients who have undergone surgery, with localization at the surgical site. In order to ensure the safety of patients treated in the hospital, we share the opinion on the necessity of continuous infection control for both patients and staff, accurate microbiological diagnostics, and the development of an effective strategy for the treatment and prevention of staphylococcal nosocomial infections and carriage