The Classification of some Violet-Pigmented Micrococci

Abstract

SUMMARY: Seven strains of micrococci which produce violet pigment were studied. We recommend that the names Staphylococcus flavocyaneus Knaysi and Micrococcus polychromus Makarova should be regarded as synonyms of M. luteus (Shroeter) Cohn, and consider that M. violagabriellae Castellani belongs to the species Staphylococcus epidermidis. For the practical diagnosis of micrococci we recommend that those strains which form a violet pigment, which do not give acid in glucose peptone water and do not form acetylmethylcarbinol, should be identified as atypical strains of Micrococcus luteus.