Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus (pronounced: staf-uh-lo-KOK-uhs) is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria. The name "Staphylococcus" comes from the Greek staphyle, meaning a bunch of grapes, and kokkos, meaning berry, due to the grape-like clusters that these bacteria often form.
Etymology
The term "Staphylococcus" is derived from the Greek words "staphyle" and "kokkos" which translate to "a bunch of grapes" and "berry" respectively. This is due to the characteristic grape-like clusters that the bacteria form.
Description
Staphylococci are round and typically form in grape-like clusters. They are facultative anaerobes that can grow by aerobic respiration or by fermentation. Staphylococci are also known to be resistant to high salt levels, allowing them to inhabit the skin where other bacteria cannot survive.
Types
There are over 40 species of Staphylococcus, but the most common and well-known is Staphylococcus aureus. Other notable species include Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
Diseases
Staphylococcus bacteria can cause a wide range of infections, from minor skin infections to life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, and sepsis. The severity of the infections depends on the type of Staphylococcus and the condition of the patient.
Treatment
Treatment for Staphylococcus infections typically involves antibiotics. However, some strains of Staphylococcus, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are resistant to many antibiotics, making them difficult to treat.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Staphylococcus
- Wikipedia's article - Staphylococcus
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