Naturally found in the anterior nares of humans and animals. Approximately 10 to 30% of humans are persistently colonized, with the others being intermittent carriers or non-carriers. Also transiently colonizes the skin, axilla, perineum, throat, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract.

Global distribution. Transmission through direct contact with contaminated environment, person-to-person spread, or endogenous dissemination.

Community-acquired infections including:

• Skin and soft tissue infections (impetigo, folliculitis, furuncules, caruncles, hydradenitis suppurativa, mastitis, erysipelas, cellulitis, pyomyositis, necrotizing fasciitis, etc.)
• Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome
• Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
• Food poisoning
• Osteoarticular infections
• Bloodstream infections
• Native valve infective endocarditis
• Pneumonia

Nosocomial infections including:

• Surgical site infections
• Central line-associated bloodstream infections
• Ventilator-associated pneumonias
• Prosthetic valve infective endocarditis
• Prosthetic joint infections