What does staphylococcus mean?
Staphylococcus refers to a genus of Gram-positive, spherical bacteria that are commonly found on the skin and in the nose. These bacteria can cause a range of infections, from mild to severe, and are often resistant to antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus is a particularly common cause of skin infections, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections. The term 'staph' is often used informally to refer to staphylococcus infections. Understanding staphylococcus is important in the medical field, as it is a significant public health concern. Effective treatment of staphylococcus infections requires prompt diagnosis and targeted antibiotic therapy.
nounA type of bacteria that is typically found on the skin and in the nose, and can cause a range of infections, from mild to severe.
- A genus of Gram-positive, spherical bacteria.
- A type of bacteria that can cause infections.
"The doctor diagnosed the patient with a staphylococcus infection and prescribed antibiotics."
"The laboratory test revealed a staphylococcus infection."
"Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of skin infections."
The plural form is often used in scientific and medical contexts to refer to multiple types of staphylococcus bacteria.
"The laboratory isolated several different staphylococci from the patient's wound."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of staphylococcus
The term 'staphylococcus' comes from the Greek words 'staphyle', meaning 'bunch of grapes', and 'kokkos', meaning 'berry'. This refers to the characteristic cluster-like appearance of these bacteria under a microscope. The genus Staphylococcus was first described by Rosenbach in 1882.
How staphylococcus is actually used
Formal and informal usage; commonly used in medical and scientific contexts.