Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or caused by staphylococcus bacteria: Describes anything pertaining to the spherical, often pathogenic bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus.

Usage

• The adjective staphylococcal is used specifically in medical and biological contexts to describe infections, toxins, or characteristics associated with staphylococcus bacteria. It modifies nouns like "infection," "bacteremia," or "toxin."

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The patient was diagnosed with a staphylococcal skin infection.
  • Staphylococcal food poisoning is often caused by pre-formed toxins.
  • Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of a staphylococcal bacterium.

Advanced Usage

• "Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS)": A serious skin condition caused by a staphylococcal toxin.
  • The infant was hospitalized with staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.
• "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)": While "MRSA" is the common term, one might refer to it as a staphylococcal infection that is antibiotic-resistant.
  • Controlling the spread of resistant staphylococcal infections like MRSA is a priority.

Variants and Related Words

• Staphylococcus (n): The name of the genus of bacteria itself.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common species.
• Staph (n, informal): A common shortening of "staphylococcus."
  • The wound culture grew staph.

Synonyms

• Staph (adj, informal): Used colloquially in medical settings (e.g., a staph infection).
• There are no direct conceptual synonyms, as the term is taxonomically specific.

Related Phrases

• Staphylococcal infection: The most common phrase using this adjective.
  • Preventing staphylococcal infections requires good hygiene.
• Staphylococcal enterotoxin: A type of toxin produced by some staphylococci.
  • The outbreak was traced to food contaminated with staphylococcal enterotoxin.

Adjective

1. of or relating to the staphylococcus bacteria
   • a staphylococcal infection