A group of smokers suffering from the outcome of severe Staphylococcus aureus in

Question

A group of smokers suffering from the outcome of severe Staphylococcus aureus infections, MRSA, are suing the cigarette companies for extent of their injuries. They claim that the disease was aggravated by cigarette smoking. The group is citing studies indicating that phagocytes are inhibited in their action by compounds in cigarette smoke. A statement prepared by their lawyers states that the S. aureus would not have caused such a severe disease if the phagocytes and immune system overall were functioning properly. During the proceedings, a microbiologist was called in as a professional witness for the court. What were her conclusions about the validity of the claim?

I'm stuyding Microbiology class, and the answer should relate to this book "Microbiology an Introduction; Tortora, Funke, Case; 11th Edition, 2012 Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., Menlo Park, CA" and the answer shouldn't be too long.

Explanation / Answer

Answer: phagocytes are inhibited in their action by compounds in cigarette smoke.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the most common chronic diseases associated with cigarette smoking, is characterized by neutrophil-dominant inflammation.

MRSA is the abbreviation for methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus is a group of bacteria, familiarly known as Staph , that can cause a multitude of diseases as a result of infection of various tissues of the body.

Because MRSA is so antibiotic resistant, it is termed a "superbug" by some investigators. This superbug is a variation of an already recognized human pathogen, S. aureus, gram-positive bacteria that occur in grape-like clusters termed cocci. The bacteria are usually found in the human armpit, groin, nose (most frequently), and throat.

Fortunately, only a few people are colonized by MRSA, usually in the nose, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the majority of cases, the colonizing bacteria do not cause disease. However, damage to the skin or other injury may allow the bacteria to overcome the natural protective mechanisms of the body and lead to infection; because of its ability to destroy skin, it is also one of the types of bacteria that has been termed a "flesh-eating bacterium."

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