Infections caused by staphylococci.

Staphylococci are not highly virulent bacteria. They require a predisposing factor in the host to initiate an infectious process. Primary infections are rare. Typical staphylococcal infections develop on the basis of a locus minoris resistentiae with the subsequent participation of multiple cellular and extracellular staphylococcal factors. A hypothetical view of the development of staphylococcal infection is briefly presented.