]> 2026-07-31T09:40:51+00:00 WBR0846 0 en Rectum Several organisms, such as Lactobacilli, can colonize the rectum. Oral cavity Anaerobes, such as ''Actinomyces israelii'' colonize the oral cavity. Vagina Several organisms, such as Lactobacilli, can colonize the vagina. Anterior nares ''Staphylococcus aureus'' colonizes the anterior nares. Nasopharynx Several bacteria can colonize the nasopharynx, such as Neisseria species, ''H. influenzae'' type B, ''M. catarrhalis'', and ''S. pneumoniae''. The image shown above is that of ''Staphylococcus aureus''. ''S. aureus'' is a gram-positive (violet color on gram-stain) coccus (circular shape) organized in clusters that resemble grapes. In fact, the Greek word "staphyle" means "grape". ''Staphylococcus aureus'' classically colonizes the skin transiently and anterior nares more persistently. In approximately 30% of individuals, ''S. aureus'' can be found in the anterior nares with absolutely no symptoms. Other sites of ''S. aureus'' colonization are also possible, such as in the throat. Nasal carriage of ''S. aureus'' has become a way of spread of multiresistant staphylococci, such as methicillin-resistant ''S. aureus'' (MRSA). S. aureus is rather virulent due to several factors including its polysaccharide capsule, surface adhesins, exotoxins (hemolysins, superantigens, & Panton-Valentine toxin), as well as the ability to form biofilms most often detected in ''S. aureus'' species that are able to persist in the anterior nares and colonize mucosal surfaces.<br/> '''Educational Objective:''' ''Staphylococcus aureus'' are gram-positive cocci that are arranged in clusters. The classical site of primary colonization is the anterior nares.<br/> '''References:''' Hu L, Umeda A, Kondo S, et al. Typing of Staphylococcus aureus colonising human nasal carriers by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. J Med Microbiol. 1995; 42(2):127-32.<br> Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2014.<br> Image attribution: Bobjgalindo. 2005. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. Microbiology D General Principles 2020-10-28T01:52:19Z 2459150.5779977 WBR0846