Definition

1. Noun (plural): Spherical, Gram-positive bacteria that are often parasitic and typically grow in irregular, grapelike clusters. Some species are pathogenic to humans and can cause various infections, including boils, septicemia (blood poisoning), and other localized or systemic diseases.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The laboratory test confirmed the presence of staphylococci in the wound culture.
  • Staphylococci are commonly found on human skin and in the nasal passages.
  • Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant staphylococci are a major concern in hospitals.

Advanced Usage

• "Coagulase-positive staphylococci": A key subgroup, most notably , that produces the enzyme coagulase and is more frequently associated with serious human infections.
  • The physician was concerned because the isolate was identified as coagulase-positive staphylococci.
• "Methicillin-resistant staphylococci": Refers to strains, often (MRSA), that are resistant to methicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics.
  • The patient was placed in isolation due to an infection with methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

Variants and Related Words

• Staphylococcus (singular noun): The singular form referring to a single bacterium or the genus name.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is the most well-known species within this genus.
• Staphylococcal (adjective): Pertaining to or caused by staphylococci.
  • She was treated for a severe staphylococcal infection.

Synonyms

• Staph (informal noun): A common abbreviation for staphylococci or staphylococcus.
  • The patient has a staph infection.
• Cocci (general noun): A broad term for any spherical bacteria; staphylococci are a specific type of cocci that form clusters.

Related Phrases / Collocations

• "Culture for staphylococci": A laboratory procedure to detect the presence of these bacteria.
  • The doctor ordered a culture for staphylococci from the abscess.
• "Carrier of staphylococci": An individual who harbors the bacteria, often without showing symptoms of disease.
  • Healthcare workers are sometimes screened to identify carriers of staphylococci.

Noun

1. spherical Gram-positive parasitic bacteria that tend to form irregular colonies; some cause boils or septicemia or infections