PetriKey

Bacterium

Staphylococcus saprophyticus

Coagulase-negative, novobiocin-resistant clue

STAFF-ih-lo-KOK-us sap-roh-FIT-ih-kus

Gram positivebacteriagram-positivecoccistaphcoagulase-negativenovobiocin

High-yield clue

Coagulase-negative staph + novobiocin resistance is the classic contrast clue.

Overview

A coagulase-negative staphylococcus used in coursework to contrast novobiocin resistance with S. epidermidis.

Classification

  • Gram-positive
  • Cocci
  • Clusters
  • Coagulase-negative staphylococcus

Lab & identification clues

  • Catalase positive
  • Coagulase negative
  • Novobiocin-resistant teaching distinction

Associations

  • Urinary tract coursework association
  • Staph comparison drills
  • Normal flora contrast

Commonly confused with

  • Staphylococcus epidermidis
  • Staphylococcus aureus

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.

OpenStax: Microbiology 2e organism classification foundationssourceNCBI Bookshelf: Medical Microbiology organism chapterssourceCDC: CDC disease and public-health topic pagessource