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Staphylococcus is a common bacterial genus found on the skin and mucous membranes. S. aureus can cause infections and is resistant to antibiotics, making it a problem in hospitals. It can be transmitted through physical contact and contaminated surfaces.
Staphylococcus bacteria are bacteria in the genus Staphylococcus, a very common bacterial genus that is widely distributed around the world, making it a familiar sight in medical offices and laboratories. In fact, you are harboring some species of Staphylococcus right now, because these bacteria are part of the body’s natural bacterial fauna. The most famous species of Staphylococcus is probably S. aureus, the bacterium responsible for the well-known “staph” infections that afflict people of all ages.
Under a microscope, staph bacteria look like small clusters of marbles, which explains the “coccus” in the name, a reference to a Greek word meaning “berry.” Many bacterial species share this distinctive round shape, which is why several genera have the suffix “coccus.” These spherical bacteria are Gram positive, which means that when a Gram stain is applied, the bacteria turn bright purple, making them very easy to see under a microscope.
Some species of Staphylococcus are part of the natural fauna present on the body and are easily found on the skin and around the mucous membranes. In the case of the infamous S. aureus, the bacteria can contribute to the development of opportunistic infections if it detects a weak spot in the body such as a cut. A Staphylococcus infection can cause boils, skin infections, abscesses, and ulcers, and in large numbers, the bacteria can cause toxic shock syndrome, a serious complication of bacterial infection.
People pass Staphylococcus bacteria to each other through casual physical contact, and the bacteria can also transfer to things people handle, such as doorknobs, bedding, countertops, and faucets. This is a big problem in hospitals, where controlling the spread of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus bacteria has become a huge problem. Staphylococcus can also colonize mishandled foods, causing food poisoning, and some species occur naturally in soil. In all, there are about 30 known species of Staphylococcus.
A conventional staph infection can be treated with antibiotics, which can be given by mouth or applied directly to the site of a skin infection in the form of a topical cream. However, Staphylococcus is a very crafty bacterial genus and a number of strains have developed resistance to antibiotics, which means that the infection may not always respond to treatment. It may take several forms of antibiotics to find a version that can effectively attack the bacteria. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major problem in hospitals around the world.
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