STAPHYLOCOCCUS

genus of spherical bacteria of the family Micrococcaceae, the best known species of which are universally present in great numbers on the mucous membranes and skin of humans and other warm-blooded animals. The term staphylococcus, generally used for all the species, refers to the cells' habit of aggregating in grapelike clusters. Staphylococci are microbiologically characterized as gram-positive (in young cultures), non-spore-forming, nonmotile, facultative anaerobes (not requiring oxygen). Their cells average 1 mm (micrometre; 1 mm = 10-6 metre) in diameter and are usually clustered. Of significance to humans are two variants of the species S. aureus, an important agent of wound infections, boils, and other human skin infections and one of the most common causes of food poisoning. S. aureus also causes udder inflammation, or mastitis, in domestic animals and breast infections in women. It is a difficult hospital pathogen because of its resistance to antibiotics. S. epidermis is a milder pathogen that is opportunistic in persons with lowered resistance.