General Characteristics of Staphylococcus

1.     Staphylococcus:

General  Characteristics of Staphylococcus:

a. Gram Positive coccus, arranged in grape-like clusters forms,

b. Spherical or rounded in shape, about 0.7-1.2 µm in diameter,

c. Capable of growing in ordinary media, like blood agar & Nutrient agar.

d. Some species are highly pathogenic,  

e. Many of are aerobic & Facultative anaerobes.

f. Produce golden yellow, lemon yellow or white colors of colony,

g. Non-flagellated , non-sporing, non-motile,

h. Catalase, Coagulase, Phosphatase, & DNAse positive,

Habitat:
i)  Reside on mucous membranes and skin of mammals (60% intermittent carriers)

ii) Anterior nares and on mucous membranes of about 30% of the population

iii) Carriage rate in considerably higher among hospital personnel

 iv) Source of infection - individual's own microflora (or from hospital staff)

  v) Can survive on inanimate objects (lab coats, gloves, bedding)

Diseases Produced by Staphylococcus:

a. Cellulitis ,

Fig: Staphylococcus 

b. Impetigo contagiosa ,

c. Pneumonia

d. Infective endocarditis,     

e. Otitis media,

f. Meningitis,

g. Septicemia,

h. Toxic shock syndrome,   

i. Osteomyelitis,

j. Perianal abscess,       

k. Carbuncles ,

l. Enterocolitis .