Staphylococcus

views updated

Staphylococcus (staf-i-loh-kok-ŭs) n. a genus of Gram-positive nonmotile spherical bacteria occurring in grapelike clusters. Some species are saprophytes; others parasites. Many species produce exotoxins. More serious infections that are caused by staphylococci include pneumonia, bacteraemia, osteomyelitis, and enterocolitis. S. aureus a species that causes boils and internal abscesses. See also MRSA.
—staphylococcal adj.

More From encyclopedia.com