What is the Difference Between Epidermidis and Aureus?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus are both types of bacteria that can cause infections, but they have some differences in their characteristics and potential for virulence.
Staphylococcus epidermidis:
- Belongs to the group of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS).
- Lacks the enzyme coagulase, which distinguishes it from coagulase-positive staphylococci like S. aureus.
- Causes a high number of infections among CoNS.
- Predominantly causes subacute and chronic infections.
- Less virulent than S. aureus.
- Commonly found on human skin and is a frequent cause of infection in hospitalized patients, often associated with implanted medical devices.
Staphylococcus aureus:
- Causes a wide range of infections, from relatively minor skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening invasive infections such as septicemia.
- More virulent than S. epidermidis.
- Can cause severe infections, as opposed to S. epidermidis, which usually does not cause severe infections.
In terms of diagnostic differentiation, both S. aureus and S. epidermidis can be differentiated based on their biochemical properties. However, emerging technologies such as Raman spectroscopy have also been used to differentiate between the two species.
Comparative Table: Epidermidis vs Aureus
Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus are two bacterial strains that have distinct differences. They are both considered important pathogens in nosocomial infections, but they have different properties and characteristics. Here is a table comparing the differences between Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus:
| Feature | Staphylococcus epidermidis | Staphylococcus aureus |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Commensal bacterium on human skin, mainly found on the skin of immune-sufficient persons | Found on the skin and in the nose, armpit, groin, and other areas, can cause various infections |
| Pathogenicity | Mainly causes hospital-acquired infections, particularly medical device-associated infections | Associated with various infections, including skin infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections, endocarditis, and more |
| Biochemical Properties | Can be differentiated from S. aureus based on biochemical properties | Less ubiquitous than S. epidermidis, but more virulent |
| Molecular Typing | Divided into clonal lineages, with some lineages more pathogenic than others | Genomic signatures and phenotypic characteristics can help differentiate between the two species |
While Staphylococcus epidermidis is a true commensal bacterium with beneficial qualities, such as improved immunity against pathogens and cancer, Staphylococcus aureus is more virulent and can cause various infections. It is essential to differentiate between these two bacterial strains to understand their roles in infections and to develop appropriate treatment strategies.
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