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staphylococcus

Term: staphylococcus (staph) (n)
Literally meaning: “grape like seed”       ”
Origin: Anc Greek
(σταφυλο-)/staphylo-)(=combining form denoting grape shape or a bunch of grapes)
+κόκκος/coccos(=round or spherical seed or grain)

Coined/History
The term derived because of staphylococcus' grape shape cluster under the microscope. The name coined by Scottish surgeon and bacteriologist Alexander Ogston (1844-1929), in 1882, using a a Zeiss microscope in compatible with previously described Streptococcus although his observations encountered scepticism from scientific community.

Definition
Staphylococcus is a genus of Gram-positive and facultative anaerobic bacteria that belongs in the family Staphylococcaceae. Staphylococci grow mainly in clusters, because divide in two planes. The configuration of the cocci helps to distinguish micrococci and staphylococci from streptococci, which usually grow in chains. Bacteria in the genus Staphylococcus are pathogens of man and other mammals with most known  which may cause cellulitis, folliculitis, boils, and styes.

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