Staphylococcus Flashcards
Cellular features of staphylococcus
1ym diameter
Gram positive cocci
Irregular arrangement
Non sporing
Non motile
Colonial features of staphylococcus
Catalase positive
Resistant to dry salty conditions
2-3 mm size
Circular and smooth
Grey,white, yellow or gold
Catalase test
Hydrogen peroxide + catalase enzyme = H20 + O2
Based on cellular, colonial and catalase characteristics a … .. can be made
Presumptive ID
Coagulase test methodology
Citrates human plasma
Suspected staph species
Incubate for 37 degrees for 30 mins
Disadvantage of a presumptive ID
Cannot make a definite identification based on physical characteristics, requires further testing
Staph genus is split…
By the coagulase test
Coagulase test
Fibrinogen into fibrin
Fibrin causes
Plasma clots
example of Coagulase positive Staph
Staphylococcus aureus
Example of Coagulase negative staph
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Other than S.epidermidis, name two CNS
S. haemolyticus
S.saprophyticus
S. epidermidis (about)
Is commensal so everyone is always colonised
spread endogenous
S. epidermidis makes up to …
75% of CNS clinical samples
s.aureus can be
Haemolytic