staphylococcus

staph·y·lo·coc·cus

noun \-ˈkä-kəs\

plural staph·y·lo·coc·ci\-ˈkä-ˌkī, -(ˌ)kē; -ˈkäk-ˌsī, -(ˌ)sē\

Definition of STAPHYLOCOCCUS

: any of a genus (Staphylococcus) of nonmotile gram-positive spherical bacteria that occur singly, in pairs or tetrads, or in irregular clusters and include causative agents of various diseases (as skin infections, food poisoning, and endocarditis)

Origin of STAPHYLOCOCCUS

New Latin, from Greek staphylē bunch of grapes + New Latin -coccus

First Known Use: 1887

staph·y·lo·coc·cus

noun \ˌstaf-ə-lō-ˈkäk-əs\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of STAPHYLOCOCCUS

1

capitalized : a genus of nonmotile gram-positive spherical bacteria that is placed in either of two families (Staphylococcaceae or Micrococcaceae), contains forms occurring singly, in pairs or tetrads, or in irregular clusters, and includes causative agents of various diseases and disorders (as food poisoning, skin infections, and endocarditis)

2

plural ; staph·y·lo·coc·ci \-ˈkäk-ˌ(s)ī\ (audio pronunciation) (audio pronunciation) : any bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus; broadly : micrococcus 2

staphylococcus

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of the spherical bacteria that make up the genus Staphylococcus. The best-known species are present in great numbers on the mucous membranes and skin of all humans and other warm-blooded animals. The cells characteristically group together in grapelike clusters. Staphylococci are gram-positive (see gram stain) and stationary and do not require oxygen. Of significance to humans is 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. It also causes udder inflammation in domestic animals and breast infections in women. The largest cause of hospital infections (accounting for almost 15%), “staph” is often difficult to treat because of its increasing resistance to antibiotics.