staphylococcus

any of a group of minute spherical Gram-positive (see GRAM'S STAIN ) BACTERIA of the genus Staphylococcus that are normally present on SKIN and MUCOUS MEMBRANES . Staphylococcus albus may be found in superficial skin INFECTIONS . Staphylococcus aureus is a more invasive, and therefore harmful, species and is common cause of ABSCESSES .