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Staphylococcus epidermidis
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The potentially deadly bacterium that’s on everyone’s skin.
You may not have heard of
Staphylococcus epidermidis but you have almost certainly heard of its close cousin, S. aureus, that in its antibiotic resistant form (MRSA) has become such a problem in hospitals, causing life-threatening infections in wound sites. Now, scientists have warned that
S. epidermidis, an abundant, commensal bacterium on human skin, has the potential to become a serious health risk.
If you subscribe to the intelligent design notion, the only possible interpretation of this news is that a designer with malevolent intent has prepared for the eventuality of human medical science overcoming its current favourite harmful pathogens, like MRSA and
Escherichia coli.
S. epidermidis is a close relative of
S. aureus, the antibiotic-resistant form of which (MRSA) is a major health risk, especially in hospitals, following surgery.
S. epidermidis is a normal, commensal bacterial species found on the skin of every human being. Normally, it is harmless but, in the right circumstances, it is also a serious health risk following surgery when it infects operation sites.