Biomaterial Database

The gram positive cocci. 1976

R R Facklam, and P B Smith

Recent changes in taxonomy of the gram positive cocci are discussed. Views on these changes and practical methods of differentiating the staphylococci, micrococci, streptococci, and aerococci are presented. Simplified schemes, using acceptable clinical laboratory techniques, are presented that either differentiate or categorize the pathologically important gram positive coccal species.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008835	Micrococcaceae	A family of bacteria ranging from free living and saprophytic to parasitic and pathogenic forms.
D008837	Micrococcus	A genus of gram-positive, spherical bacteria found in soils and fresh water, and frequently on the skin of man and other animals.
D001419	Bacteria	One of the three domains of life (the others being Eukarya and ARCHAEA), also called Eubacteria. They are unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms which generally possess rigid cell walls, multiply by cell division, and exhibit three principal forms: round or coccal, rodlike or bacillary, and spiral or spirochetal. Bacteria can be classified by their response to OXYGEN: aerobic, anaerobic, or facultatively anaerobic; by the mode by which they obtain their energy: chemotrophy (via chemical reaction) or PHOTOTROPHY (via light reaction); for chemotrophs by their source of chemical energy: CHEMOLITHOTROPHY (from inorganic compounds) or chemoorganotrophy (from organic compounds); and by their source for CARBON; NITROGEN; etc.; HETEROTROPHY (from organic sources) or AUTOTROPHY (from CARBON DIOXIDE). They can also be classified by whether or not they stain (based on the structure of their CELL WALLS) with CRYSTAL VIOLET dye: gram-negative or gram-positive.	Eubacteria
D013210	Staphylococcus	A genus of gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, coccoid bacteria. Its organisms occur singly, in pairs, and in tetrads and characteristically divide in more than one plane to form irregular clusters. Natural populations of Staphylococcus are found on the skin and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. Some species are opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals.
D013289	Streptococcaceae	A family of gram-positive non-sporing bacteria including many parasitic, pathogenic, and saprophytic forms.	Gaffkya homari
D013291	Streptococcus	A genus of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria whose organisms occur in pairs or chains. No endospores are produced. Many species exist as commensals or parasites on man or animals with some being highly pathogenic. A few species are saprophytes and occur in the natural environment.