Coagulase-negative staphylococci

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Coagulase-negative staphylococci (pronunciation: ko-ag-yuh-leyz neg-uh-tiv staf-uh-lok-ok-sahy) are a group of bacteria that are part of the normal microflora of the human skin. They are called so because they do not produce the enzyme coagulase, which is a characteristic of some other types of Staphylococcus bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus.

Etymology

The term "coagulase-negative staphylococci" is derived from the characteristics of these bacteria. "Coagulase-negative" refers to the inability of these bacteria to produce the enzyme coagulase, which is used by some bacteria to clot blood plasma and evade the immune system. "Staphylococci" is derived from the Greek words "staphyle" (meaning bunch of grapes) and "kokkos" (meaning berry), which describe the grape-like clusters that these bacteria form.

Types of Coagulase-negative staphylococci

There are several types of coagulase-negative staphylococci, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. These bacteria are generally harmless and are part of the normal skin flora. However, they can cause infections if they enter the body, particularly in people with weakened immune systems or implanted medical devices.

Related Terms

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