Infections caused by staphylococci. 
Staphylococci are not highly virulent bacteria.  They require a predisposing factor in the host to initiate an infectious process.  Primary infections are rare.  Typical staphylococcal infections develop on the basis of a locus minoris resistentiae with the subsequent participation of multiple cellular and extracellular staphylococcal factors.  A hypothetical view of the development of staphylococcal infection is briefly presented.