Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins

Staphylococcal species are Gram-positive, non­ motile, catalase-positive, small, spherical bacteria (cocci), which, on microscopic examination, appear in pairs, short chains, or bunched in grape-like clusters. Staphylococci are ubiquitous and impossible to eradicate from the environment. Many of the 32 species and subspecies in the genus Staphylococcus are potentially found in foods due to environmental, human, and animal contamination.