Staphylococcus saccharolyticus

Gram Stain

• Gram positive cocci in clusters (anaerobic)

Clinical Significance

This organism is part of the normal flora of the skin and oropharynx and may be found in a variety of infections (monomicrobial or polymicrobial) including brain abscesses, pleuropulmonary infections, endocarditis (native/prosthetic), chronic sinusitis, mastoiditis, bacteremia (immunocompromised/post-surgical), osteomyelitis, arthritis, and skin/soft tissue (including myositis/fasciitis), as well as obstetrical/gynecological infections.

Usual Susceptibility Pattern

There is not much information on the typical susceptibility pattern of S. saccharolyticus. 

It should be susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid, resistant to metronidazole, and likely has variable susceptibility to clindamycin.

Cephalosporins, macrolides, tetracyclines, and quinolones have unpredictable activity.