Staphylococcus aureus

a species comprising the yellow-pigmented, coagulase-positive pathogenic forms of the genus; it causes serious suppurative infections and systemic disease, including impetigo bullosa, staphylococcal pneumonia, and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, and has developed resistance to nearly all classes of antibiotics. This species also produces toxins that cause food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome.