Wikipedia:POTD column/September 24, 2006



Bacterial cells of Staphylococcus aureus, captured by a transmission electron microscope, magnified 50,000 times. S. aureus is one of the causal agents of mastitis in dairy cattle. Its large capsule protects the organism from attack by the cow's immunological defenses. S. aureus is also found on human skin and can cause illnesses ranging from minor skin infections and abscesses, to life-threatening diseases such as toxic shock syndrome and septicemia. Antibiotic-resistant Staph is a source of major concern in hospitals today.

credit: Eric Erbe and Chris Pooley, USDA Archive - More featured pictures...