II. Background

  1. Staphylococcus is derived from Staphyle (Greek for bunch of grapes)

III. Labs: Characteristics

  1. Gram Positive Cocci in irregular clusters
  2. Facultative Anaerobes
  3. Non-spore forming
  4. Non-motile
  5. Glucose fermentation
  6. Size: 0.7 to 1.2 microns
  7. Beta hemolytic
    1. As with Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus, hemolyze RBCs on sheep blood agar plate (BAL)
    2. Staphylococcus Aureus is named for its gold coloration on BAL
  8. Catalase positive
    1. Catalase converts Hydrogen Peroxide (from Macrophages, PMNs) into water and oxygen
    2. Catalase positive organisms on a culture plate will bubble when exposed to Hydrogen Peroxide

IV. Organisms

  1. Coagulase-Positive Organisms (activates plasmin, inducing Clot Formation)
    1. Staphylococcus Aureus
  2. Coagulase-Negative Organisms
    1. Staphylococcus Epidermidis (IV catheter infections)
    2. Staphylococcus Saprophyticus (UTI in women)

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Ontology: Genus staphylococcus (C0038170)

Definition (NCI_CDISC) Any bacteria that is not assigned to the species level but can be assigned to the Staphylococcus genus level.
Definition (NCI) A genus of nonmotile, nonspore-forming, aerobic to facultatively anaerobic bacteria containing Gram-positive, spherical cells, 0.5-1.5 microns in diameter, which divide in more than one plane to form irregular clusters. Coagulase-positive strains produce a variety of toxins and are therefore potentially pathogenic and may cause food poisoning. They are found on the skin, in skin glands, on the nasal and other mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals, and in various food products. The type species is Staphylococcus aureus.
Definition (MSH) A genus of gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, coccoid bacteria. Its organisms occur singly, in pairs, and in tetrads and characteristically divide in more than one plane to form irregular clusters. Natural populations of Staphylococcus are membranes of warm-blooded animals. Some species are opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals.
Definition (CSP) genus of gram positive, facultatively anaerobic, coccoid bacteria; organisms occur singly, in pairs, and in tetrads and characteristically divide in more than one plane to form irregular clusters.
Concepts Bacterium (T007)
MSH D013210
SnomedCT 65119002
LNC LP21243-8
English Staphylococcus, STAPH, Genus Staphylococcus (organism), Staphylococcus (organism), Staphylococcus Rosenbach 1884, staphylococcus, staphylococcus bacteria, Aurococcus, STAPHYLOCOCCUS, Staphylococcus, NOS, Genus staphylococcus, Genus Staphylococcus
Swedish Stafylokock
Czech stafylokoky, Staphylococcus
Spanish estafilococo, género Staphylococcus (organismo), género Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus (organismo), Staphylococcus
Finnish Stafylokokki
Russian STAFILOKOKKI, STAPHYLOCOCCUS, СТАФИЛОКОККИ
Croatian STAPHYLOCOCCUS
Polish Staphylococcus, Gronkowce
Norwegian Staphylococcus
French Staphylococcus, Staphylocoque
German Staphylococcus
Italian Staphylococcus
Dutch Staphylococcus
Portuguese Staphylococcus