Staphylococci can be divided into pathogenic and relatively nonpathogenic strains based on whether or not they synthesize _________.

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The ability to produce coagulase is an important virulence factor for many pathogenic staphylococcal species, including Staphylococcus aureus. Nonpathogenic staphylococcal species do not produce coagulase. Catalase is produced by all staphylococcal species and is not a reliable marker for pathogenicity. Leukocidins and capsules are also virulence factors for some staphylococcal species, but they are not as widely used to differentiate between pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains as coagulase.

Staphylococci Can Be Divided into Pathogenic and Relatively Nonpathogenic Strains