Staphylococci generally resist host defenses. Antibody may help in certain circumstances but protein A prevents opsonization and the action of complement. These organisms are ubiquitous. Synthetic penicillins have been very useful but now resistance to vancomycin is spreading. Generally, a Gram stain of exudate from a lesion can demonstrate the characteristic Gram-positive cocci arranged in clusters.
Isolation techniques employ blood agar, mannitol salt agar or potassium-tellurite agar.
Bacteriophage testing or serotyping may be utilized. To control the spread of disease, however, clean hospitals and proper food handling are paramount. One should use penicillin if the particular strain is susceptible. Otherwise, methicillin, oxacillin, cephalosporins or vancomycin may be required. Often, surgical drainage is an important treatment.