Staphylococcus , Micrococcus , and Other Catalase‐Positive Cocci

Abstract

Historically, the genera Staphylococcus and Micrococcus were placed together with the genera Stomatococcus and Planococcus in the family Micrococcaceae , containing Gram‐positive, catalase‐positive cocci. As staphylococci and micrococci are part of the microbiota of the skin and mucous membranes, careful procedures should be used to isolate organisms from the presumed focus of infection without collecting surrounding microbiota. Because serological testing for antistaphylococcal antibodies lacks specificity and predictive accuracy, it plays no role in the diagnosis of most staphylococcal diseases. A number of studies and reviews describing the antimicrobial and biocide susceptibilities of clinically important staphylococcal species have been published. Distinguishing contaminants and colonizers from staphylococcal and micrococcal isolates causing infection continues to be an important challenge for laboratorians and clinicians.