This sputum smear shows staphylococcus bacteria using Gram stain technique in a patient with staphylococcal pneumonia. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive diplococcal organism, usually affecting the debilitated, elderly or the immunocompromised individual, and is often responsible for nosocomial infections acquired during lengthy hospital stays.

Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections, Staphylococcal Infections, Pneumonia, Staphylococcal

Picture & text from CDC/PHIL. For more information see Staph Infection Pictures from CDC