Staphylococcus saccharolyticus

Staphylococcus saccharolyticus is a species of bacteria belonging to the genus Staphylococcus, a group of Gram-positive bacteria that are commonly found on the skin and in the nasal passages of humans. This species is unique in its ability to ferment sugars, a trait that gives it its name "saccharolyticus", derived from the Greek words for "sugar" and "to break down".

Characteristics

Staphylococcus saccharolyticus is a coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), a group of staphylococci that do not produce the enzyme coagulase. This differentiates it from Staphylococcus aureus, a coagulase-positive species that is often associated with human disease.

Like other staphylococci, S. saccharolyticus is a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can grow in both the presence and absence of oxygen. It is also halotolerant, able to survive in high salt concentrations, and thermotolerant, capable of growing at high temperatures.

Clinical Significance

While Staphylococcus saccharolyticus is less commonly associated with human disease than other staphylococci, it can cause infections in certain circumstances. It has been isolated from a variety of clinical specimens, including blood, urine, and wound cultures.

Infections caused by S. saccharolyticus are typically opportunistic, occurring in individuals with weakened immune systems or those with implanted medical devices. The bacteria can form biofilms on the surfaces of these devices, leading to persistent infections that are difficult to treat.

Treatment

Treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus saccharolyticus typically involves the use of antibiotics. However, like many staphylococci, S. saccharolyticus can exhibit resistance to certain antibiotics, making treatment more challenging.

Antibiotic susceptibility testing is often performed to determine the most effective antibiotic for treating a particular infection. In addition, removal of any infected medical devices may be necessary to fully eradicate the bacteria.

See Also

• Staphylococcus
• Coagulase-negative staphylococci
• Biofilm
• Antibiotic resistance