Bacterium
Staphylococcus aureus
Gram-positive cocci in clusters
STAFF-ih-lo-KOK-us AW-ree-us
High-yield clue
Clusters + catalase positive + coagulase positive is the classic study clue.
Overview
A high-yield Gram-positive coccus commonly used to connect catalase, coagulase, toxin concepts, abscess patterns, and antimicrobial resistance vocabulary.
Classification
- Gram-positive
- Cocci
- Clusters
- Facultative anaerobe
Lab & identification clues
- Catalase positive
- Coagulase positive
- Golden colonies in many teaching examples
- Beta-hemolysis is often emphasized in class
Associations
- Skin and soft-tissue infection concepts
- Food poisoning toxin concept
- Toxic shock toxin concept
- MRSA as resistance vocabulary
Commonly confused with
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Streptococcus pyogenes
Your notes
Original student-study summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment, dosing, or specimen-handling guidance.