Osmosis video - Staphylococcus saprophyticus

Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a round, gram-positive, catalase-positive, coagulase-negative, urease-positive, and novobiocin-resistant bacterium, which is known to be part of the normal flora of the perineum. It is known to cause urinary tract infections, and can also cause the formation of struvite urinary stones.

S. saprophyticus can also colonize indwelling medical devices, where it forms adherent biofilms on medical implants, typically indwelling urinary catheters. Biofilms make it difficult for antibiotics to reach the bacteria, so the infection is more difficult to treat. Treatment relies on antibiotics like nitrofurantoin, or a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, as well as removing infected indwelling devices.