Staphylococci General Characteristics

What is the main identification of Staphylococci?

GRAM POSITIVE cocci in CLUSTERS

Staphe = cluster of grapes (GP)

What is the main thing that will differentiate Staph from Strep?

STAPH is CATALASE POSITIVE

Strep is always catalase negative

What is the general colony morphology of Staphylococcus?

BUTTERY

Creamy,white, light yellow

Remember S. AUREUS = Gold

What are the 4 significant Staphylococcus species?

1. Staphylococcus aureus

2. Staphylococcus epidermidis

3. Staphylococcus saprophyticus

4. Staphylococcus lugdunensis

How do we differentiate between the STAPH and STREP?

CATALSE test

STAPH is POSITIVE

STREP is NEGATIVE

Which test is used to distinguish between STAPH species?

COAGULASE test

Which is the only Coagulase + staph?

Staphylococcus aureus

Which are NEGATIVE for COAGULASE (CoNS)?

1. Staphylococcus epidermidis

2. Staphylococcus saprophyticus

3. Staphylococcus lugdunensis

Remember, these are the CoNS

Which 2 coagulase tests are done?

1. SLIDE coagulase (done first)

2. Tube coagulase (done second)

How is Micrococcus related to Staphylococcus?

Gram positive cocci

Catalase positive

COAG NEGATIVE

ITS RECOVERED WITH OTHER CoNS

How are Micrococcus often seen microscopically?

GPC in TETRADS

How is Micrococcus differentiated from Staphylococcus?

Modified oxidase

Micro = (+)

Staph = (-)