STAPH Common Medical Abbreviation

Staphylococcus Aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive, round-shaped bacterium that is a member of the Firmicutes, and is frequently found in the nose, respiratory tract, and on the skin. It is often positive for catalase and nitrate reduction and is a facultative anaerobe that can grow without the need for oxygen. Although S. aureus is not always pathogenic, it is a common cause of skin infections such as a skin abscess, respiratory infections such as sinusitis, and food poisoning.