This bacterium is a Gram-positive, spherical-shaped, facultative anaerobe. Staphylococcus species are known to demonstrate resistance to antibiotics such as methicillin. S. aureus pathogenicity can range from commensal skin colonization to more severe diseases such as pneumonia
and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). S. aureus is commonly used in several test methods as a model for gram positive bacteria. It can be difficult to disinfect but does demonstrate susceptibility to low level disinfectants.
