Staphylococcus and Micrococcus: Introduction, Differentiating Features, Keynotes, and Related Footages

by

Introduction of Staphylococcus and Micrococcus

Table of Contents

Staphylococcus (pleural-staphylococci) is spherical, non-motile, gram-positive in singles, pairs, and clusters. On nutrient agar, growth is opaque and golden yellow or white color. Catalase and coagulase test positive (Staphylococcus aureus), oxidase negative, aerobic or facultative anaerobe. Parasite of humans and animals. Normal flora of the skin, upper respiratory tract, and feces of humans, animals, and birds too. S. aureus is the etilogical agent of –

Staphylococcus Vs Micrococcus: Introduction, Differentiating Features, Keynotes, and Related Footages
Fig. Staphylococcus Vs Micrococcus: S. aureus colony morphology, coagulase test positive (slide and tube), and Gram-stained image-Left side while Micrococcus luteus colony characteristics on blood agar, oxidase-positive, and Gram staining picture-Right side
  • Abscess
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Corneal ulcer
  • Septicemia
  • Endocarditis
  • Pneumonia
  • Mastitis: It is an inflammation of the breast.
  • Empyema: It is an accumulation of pus in the body cavity.
  • Food poisoning
  • Staphylococcal Scalded Syndrome
  • Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)-enterotoxin F
  • Septic arthritis
  • Meningitis
  • Osteomyelitis

Species of Staphylococcus are-

  1. Staphylococcus aureus
  2. Staphylococcus schleriferi
  3. Staphylococcus felis
  4. Staphylococcus intermedius
  5. Staphylococcus lutrae
  6. Staphylococcus hyicus
  7. Staphylococcus lodgunensis
  8. Staphylococcus lodgunensis
  9. Staphylococcus schleriferi
  10. Staphylococcus hyicus

Micrococcus (pleural-micrococci) is free-living in the environment and also normal flora of the skin. It is Gram-positive cocci in tetrads, catalase-positive, coagulase-negative, arranged in clusters that differ from Staphylococcus in attacking sugars oxidatively which may appear in irregular clusters, groups of four or eight. It is often larger than Staphylococcus. Species of Micrococcus are-

  1. Micrococcus luteus
  2. Micrococcus terreus
  3. Micrococcus lylae
  4. Micrococcus mortus
  5. Micrococcus mucilaginosis
  6. Micrococcus roseus

Differences between Staphylococcus and Micrococcus

The differences between Staphylococcus and Micrococcus are as follows-

FeatureStaphylococcusMicrococcus
Anaerobic growthPositiveNegative
Arrangement of cells (predominant)ClustersClusters, tetrads
Clusters, tetrads30-3964-75
Carbohydrate utilizationFermentativeOxidative or nil
Oxidase (modified oxidase test)NegativePositive
0.04U bacitracinResistantSensitive
LysostaphinSensitiveResistant
Teichoic acid in cell wallPresentAbsent
Table: Differences between Staphylococcus and Micrococcus

Keynotes

  1. Staphylococcus is the Gram-positive cocci in clusters while Micrococcus is the Gram-positive cocci in tetrads.
  2. Staphylococcus aureus is the coagulase-positive (slide and tube both) whereas Micrococcus is modified oxidase-positive.
  3. Staphylococcus aureus generally expresses golden yellow color while Micrococcus luteus forms bright yellow colonies and Micrococcus roseus pink colonies on nutrient agar.

Staphylococcus and Micrococcus Footages

Gram-positive cocci in singles, pairs and cluster of Staphylococcus aureus in clinical sample, pus

Gram positive cocci in singles, pairs and cluster of Staphylococcus aureus in clinical sample, pus
Fig. Gram-positive cocci in singles, pairs, and clusters of Staphylococcus aureus in a clinical sample, pus

Staphylococcus aureus growth in Thioglycollate broth

Staphylococcus aureus growth in Thioglycollate broth
Fig. Staphylococcus aureus growth in Thioglycolate broth

A yellow pigment staphyloxanthin producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus on nutrient agar

A yellow pigment staphyloxanthin producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus on nutrient agar
Fig. A yellow pigment staphyloxanthin producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus on nutrient agar

A golden yellow pigment producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus on blood agar

A golden yellow pigment producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus on blood agar
Fig. A golden yellow pigment producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus on blood agar

Beta-hemolytic colony of Staphylococcus aureus on blood agar demonstration

Beta-hemolytic colony of Staphylococcus aureus on blood agar demonstration
Fig. Beta-hemolytic colony of Staphylococcus aureus on blood agar demonstration

Slide coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus

Slide coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus
Fig. Slide coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus

Tube coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus

Tube coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus
Fig. Tube coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus, CoNS and Escherichia coli growth on Mannitol Salt Agar ( MSA) Demonstration

Staphylococcus aureus, CoNS and Escherichia coli growth on Mannitol Salt Agar ( MSA) Demonstration
Fig. Staphylococcus aureus, CoNS and Escherichia coli growth on Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) Demonstration

Gram-positive cocci in singles, pairs and clusters or groups of Staphylococcus aureus in Gram staining of culture

Gram positive cocci in singles, pairs and clusters or groups of Staphylococcus aureus in Gram staining of culture
Fig. Gram-positive cocci in singles, pairs and clusters or groups of Staphylococcus aureus in Gram staining of culture

DNase Positive strain of Staphylococcus aureus

DNase Positive strain of Staphylococcus aureus
Fig. DNase Positive strain of Staphylococcus aureus

MRSA strain of Staphylococcus aureus on Muller-Hinton agar

MRSA strain of Staphylococcus aureus on Muller-Hinton agar
Fig. MRSA strain of Staphylococcus aureus on Muller-Hinton agar

D-Zone Test Positive Macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) strain of Staphylococcus aureus Demonstration

D-Zone Test Positive Macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) strain of Staphylococcus aureus Demonstration
Fig. D-Zone Test Positive Macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) strain of Staphylococcus aureus Demonstration

White colonies of Staphylococcus aureus on Muller-Hinton agar (MHA) Demonstration

White colonies od Staphylococcus aureus on Muller-Hinton agar (MHA) Demonstration
Fig. White colonies of Staphylococcus aureus on Muller-Hinton agar (MHA) Demonstration

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) colony morphology on MSA

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) colony morphology on MSA
Fig. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) colony morphology on MSA

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) colony characteristics on blood agar

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) colony characteristics on blood agar
Fig. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) colony characteristics on blood agar

Micrococcus roseus colony Morphology on blood agar

Micrococcus roseus colony Morphology on blood agar
Fig. Micrococcus roseus colony Morphology on blood agar

Micrococcus roseus Colony Morphology on Nutrient Agar

Micrococcus roseus Colony Morphology on Nutrient Agar
Fig. Micrococcus roseus Colony Morphology on Nutrient Agar

Micrococcus luteus Colony Morphology on Muller-Hinton Agar

Micrococcus luteus Colony Morphology on Muller-Hinton Agar
Fig. Micrococcus luteus Colony Morphology on Muller-Hinton Agar

Micrococcus in Gram staining of culture showing Gram-positive cocci in singles, pairs, tetrads and groups

Micrococcus in Gram staining of culture showing Gram positive cocci in singles, pairs, tetrads and groups
Fig. Micrococcus in Gram staining of culture showing Gram-positive cocci in singles, pairs, tetrads, and groups

Oxidase Positive Micrococcus luteus

Oxidase Positive Micrococcus luteus -
Fig. Oxidase Positive Micrococcus luteus

Further Readings

  • https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/docserver/fulltext/micro/30/3/mic-30-3-409.pdf?
  • https://universe84a.com/collection/staphylococcus-versus-micrococcus/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC271202/
  • https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832968/ID_7_dj_.pdf
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780121617752500207
  • Bailey & Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology. Editors: Bettey A. Forbes, Daniel F. Sahm & Alice S. Weissfeld, 12th ed 2007, Publisher Elsevier.
  • Colour Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. Editors: Koneman E.W., Allen D.D., Dowell V.R. Jr, and Sommers H.M.
  • Cowan & Steel’s Manual for identification of Medical Bacteria. Editors: G.I. Barron & R.K. Felthani, 3rd ed 1993, Publisher Cambridge University Press.
  • Jawetz, Melnick and Adelberg’s Medical Microbiology. Editors: Geo. F. Brook, Janet S. Butel & Stephen A. Morse, 21st ed 1998, Publisher Appleton & Lance, Co Stamford Connecticut.
  • Mackie and Mc Cartney Practical Medical Microbiology. Editors: J.G. Colle, A.G. Fraser, B.P. Marmion, A. Simmous, 4th ed, Publisher Churchill Living Stone, New York, Melborne, Sans Franscisco 1996.
  • Clinical Microbiology Procedure Handbook Vol. I & II, Chief in editor H.D. Isenberg, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, Publisher ASM (American Society for Microbiology), Washington DC.
  •  Manual of Clinical Microbiology. Editors: P.R. Murray, E. J. Baron, M. A. Pfaller, F. C. Tenover and R. H. Yolken, 7th ed 2005, Publisher ASM, USA
  • District Laboratory Practice in  Tropical Countries  –  Part-2-   Monica Cheesebrough-   2nd Edn Update
  •  Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. Editors: Connie R. Mahon, Donald G. Lehman & George Manuselis, 3rd edition2007, Publisher Elsevier.
  • Topley & Wilsons Principle of Bacteriology, Virology, and immunology Vol I, II, III, IV & V. Editors: M.T. Parker & L.H. Collier, 8th ed 1990, Publisher Edward Arnold publication, London.
  • Medical Microbiology-The Practice of Medical Microbiology Vol-2-12th Edn. –Robert Cruickshank

Read Also...

36 thoughts on “Staphylococcus and Micrococcus: Introduction, Differentiating Features, Keynotes, and Related Footages”

  1. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

    Reply

  7. Gοod post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleuρon on a daily basis.
    It will always be exⅽiting to read artticles from other
    authors and practice something from other sites.

    Reply

  14. Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.

    Reply

  33. Heya i’m for the first time here. I foundthis board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot.I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.

    Reply

  36. Hello there, I discovered your site by the use of Google at the same time as searching for a similar topic, your website came up, it seems to be good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Reply

Leave a Comment