Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

Main Difference
The main difference between Staphylococcus and Streptococcus is that Staphylococcus is a type of gram-positive bacteria that are found in clusters whereas streptococcus is gram-positive bacteria that form a short chain of round cells.

Difference Between Staphylococcus and Streptococcus

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

Staphylococcus are gram-positive bacteria that are found in grape-like clusters whereas streptococcus is gram-positive bacteria that form a short chain of round cells.

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

Forty species of staphylococcus have been identified, on the other hand, 50 species of streptococcus yet found.

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

Staphylococci divide in multiple directions (multiple axes) conversely streptococcus divides in one linear direction (single axis).

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

Staphylococcus does not require enriched media to grow on the flip side; Streptococcus required enriched media for its growth.

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

Staphylococci are present on the skin while Streptococci are present in the respiratory tract.

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

There is no hemolysis or beta hemolysis in case of Staphylococcus whereas streptococcus may cause either alpha or beta or gamma hemolysis.

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

Staphylococcus causes Food poisoning, bacterial conjunctivitis, skin diseases, surgical site Infection, wound infection, impetigo, cellulitis, community-acquired meningitis, and toxic shock syndrome but streptococcus causes strep throat, Scarlet fever, Impetigo, Toxic shock syndrome, sinusitis, blood infections, pneumonia, Cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease), and meningitis in newborns.

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

The pathogenic species of Staphylococcus are Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus hominis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, etc. while the pathogenic species of streptococcus are Streptococcus bovis, Streptococcus agalcitae, Streptococcus pneumonia, and Streptococcus pyogenes, etc.

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

Staphylococcus can be diagnosed by coagulase test, catalase test and novobiocin sensitivity test whereas streptococcus can be diagnosed by bile solubility test, optochin sensitivity test (S. pneumoniae), catalase test, bacitracin test, CAMP test and test of hemolysis, etc.

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

Catalase test shows positive results in case of Staphylococcus whereas It shows negative results in the case of streptococcus.

Staphylococcusnoun

A spherical gram-positive parasitic bacterium of the genus Staphylococcus, causing blisters, septicemia, and other infections

Streptococcusnoun

A spherical, gram-positive bacterium of the genus Streptococcus. Although commonly found benignly in the human mouth and gut, and though many species are non-pathogenic, other species can cause diseases including strep throat and more serious conditions.

Staphylococcusnoun

spherical gram-positive parasitic bacteria that tend to form irregular colonies; some cause boils or septicemia or infections

Streptococcusnoun

spherical gram-positive bacteria occurring in pairs or chains; cause e.g. scarlet fever and tonsillitis

Comparison Chart

Staphylococcus	Streptococcus
Staphylococcus are gram-positive bacteria that are found in grape-like clusters.	Streptococcus are gram-positive bacteria that form a short chain of round cells.
Number of Species
Its 40 species have been identified.	Streptococcus has around 50 species.
Division of Cells
Staphylococci divide in multiple directions (multiple axes).	It divides in one linear direction (single axis).
Enriched Media
Staphylococcus does not require enriched media to grow.	Streptococcus needs enriched media to grow.
Presence
Staphylococci are present on the skin.	Streptococci are present in the respiratory tract.
Hemolysis
No hemolysis or beta hemolysis in this case.	It may cause either alpha or beta or gamma hemolysis.
Pathogenesis
Most of its species are non-pathogens.	Streptococcus causes a large number of diseases.
Diseases
It causes Food poisoning, bacterial conjunctivitis, skin diseases, Surgical Site Infection, Wound infection, impetigo, cellulitis, community-acquired meningitis, and toxic shock syndrome.	Streptococcus causes strep throat, Scarlet fever, Impetigo, Toxic shock syndrome, sinusitis, blood infections, pneumonia, Cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease), and meningitis in newborns.
Pathogenic Species
Its pathogenic species are Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus hominis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, etc.	Its pathogenic species are Streptococcus bovis, Streptococcus agalcitae. Streptococcus pneumonia and Streptococcus pyogenes etc.
Diagnostic Test
Staphylococcus can be diagnosed by the coagulase test, catalase test, and novobiocin sensitivity test.	It can be diagnosed by bile solubility test, optochin sensitivity test (S. pneumoniae), catalase test, bacitracin test, CAMP test and test of hemolysis, etc.
Catalase Test
Catalase test shows positive results in case of Staphylococcus.	Catalase test shows negative results in the case of streptococcus.

Staphylococcus vs. Streptococcus

Bacteria is a cosmopolitan microorganism that is found almost everywhere in the world. It may or may not be pathogenic. Bacteria are divided into different types on a different basis. Based on gram staining technique, bacteria are divided into two types, i.e., gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are also two types of gram-positive bacteria. Staphylococcus is the bacteria that are found in grape-like clusters while streptococcus is found in the round chain of cells. Most of the staphylococcus are nonpathogens whereas streptococcus is mostly pathogens. Staphylococci are present on the skin, but streptococci are present in the respiratory tract and cause multiple diseases.

What is Staphylococcus?

The word “Staphylococcus” is derived from the Greek word“staple” which stands for a bunch of grapes and “kokkos” which means berry. Under the microscope, it appears round in shape and present in grape-like a cluster. It belongs to Phylum Firmicutes. There are 40 known species of staphylococcus that are mostly found in the skin and mucous membrane. They are mostly harmless for humans and other organisms. Some Staphylococcus has the ability to produce a special enzyme known as catalase. This enzyme converts hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water and oxygen and helps in blood clotting: S. aureus, S. hyicus, S. Schleifer, S. intermedius. S. aureus and S. delphini are catalase positive, i.e., they have the ability to produce catalase enzyme. Some Staphylococcus is harmful and may cause infection directly or by producing toxin. Its infection includes the furuncle, boil with pus and the infected area become swollen, painful and inflamed. It can be treated using antibiotics. Its infection can be prevented by cleanliness, maintaining hygiene on wounds, scrapes, and cuts, proper handwashing and by avoiding close contacts with infected individuals.

What is Streptococcus?

The word “Streptococcus” is derived from the Greek word “streptos” which means ‘easily bent or twisted,’ and kokkos stands for ‘berry.’ Streptococcus is also gram-positive bacteria that are found in the form of a short chain of round cells. It also belongs to Phylum Firmicutes. They do not have catalase enzyme and are facultative anaerobes. There are 50 species of this genera recognized so far. Streptococcus are divided into two groups, i.e., group A and group B. Group A includes bacteria that causes scarlet throat, impetigo (skin infection), cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease), strep throat and toxic shock syndrome. Group B includes those that can cause pneumonia, meningitis in newborn, urinary tract infections and blood infections. These diseases are also treated with antibiotics.

Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is summarized that both staphylococcus and streptococcus are round-shaped gram-positive bacteria, but Staphylococcus has cells arranged in clusters while in streptococcus cells are arranged in a round chain-like structure. Moreover, they also vary in their plane of division and medicinal importance, etc.