Staphylococcus hominis

Taxobox
color = lightgrey
name = "Staphylococcus hominis"
regnum = Bacteria
phylum = Firmicutes
classis = Bacilli
ordo = Bacillales
familia = Staphylococcaceae
genus = "Staphylococcus"
species = "S. hominis"
binomial = "Staphylococcus hominis"
binomial_authority = Kloos & Schleifer 1975

"Staphylococcus hominis" is a coagulase-negative member of the bacterial genus "Staphylococcus", consisting of Gram positive, spherical cells in clusters. It occurs very commonly as a harmless commensal on human and animal skin. However, like many other coagulase-negative staphylococci, "S. hominis" may occasionally cause infection in patients whose immune system is compromised, for example by chemotherapy or predisposing illness.

Laboratory identification of "S. hominis" is not difficult. It is one of only two species of "Staphylococcus" that display sensitivity to desferrioxamine, the other being "S. epidermidis". Unlike "S. epidermidis", "S. hominis" produces acid from trehalose, so the two tests together serve to identify the species.

Colonies of "S. hominis" are small, usually 1-2 mm in diameter after 24 hours' incubation at 35 degrees Celsius, and white or tan in colour. Occasional strains are resistant to Novobiocin and may be confused with other resistant species (eg. "S. saprophyticus".)