Micro| Staphylococcal Species

3.06 Staphylococcus Species Microbiology review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam Staphylococcus bacteria are gram-positive cocci that form clusters in the shape of grapes on a vine Three pathogenic species of staph: staph aureus, staph epidermidis, and staph saprophyticus Differentiation between species can be done using coagulase and novobiocin sensitivity tests Staph aureus is a major pathogen that causes many severe infections including toxic shock syndrome, septic arthritis, acute endocarditis, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome Toxic shock syndrome can be caused by tampons, soft tissue infections, post-surgical infections, and retained foreign bodies Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, or Ritter disease, is characterized by exfoliative damage to the skin and mainly affects newborns within 48 hours of birth Staph aureus can spread hematogenously and affect many parts of the body, particularly the heart and joints. Gastroenteritis caused by staph aureus is caused by consumption of exotoxins produced by the bacteria.