Sarcinae

SARCINAE, Sarcina (Latin: packet), a group of micrococci possessing the ability to divide in three mutually perpendicular directions, due to which they form cell arrangements resembling packets. They lead a saprophytic existence, but under certain conditions become facultative parasites. They are found in air, soil, and water, and in the human body (in excretions, stomach, lungs, in cases of suppuration). They are found in large quantities in stomach contents, especially with prolonged retention of contents in it (pylorostenosis, gastoptosis with dilation), as well as in bronchiectases and lung cavities. Morphologically, S. are rather large cocci, sometimes exceeding staphylococci in size. They do not decolorize by Gram's method and do not form spores. They are immotile, with the exception of one species, Sarcina mobilis. They grow better in the presence of oxygen, both at room temperature and at 37°. The vast majority of S. liquefy gelatin, with the exception of S. pulmonum. They are classified based on their ability to form pigment, motility, and various characteristics of growth on nutrient media. According to the American classification, S. are divided into the following 11 species: 1) S. ventriculi Goodsir - orange-yellow color, found in the stomach contents of humans and animals; 2) S. conjunctiva Bergey et al. (S. citrea conjunctivae Verderame) - lemon-yellow color; found on the conjunctiva of the eye; 3) S. psychrocarterica Bergey et al. (Uro-sarcina psychrocarterica Rubentschik) - orange-yellow color; isolated from wastewater; 4) S. flava de Bary - yellow color; found in air, water, soil; 5) S. lutea Schroter - yellow color; found in air, soil, water, skin; 6) S. subflava Ravenel - yellow color; found in soil; 7) S. lactea Bergey - orange color; found in milk; 8) S. aurantica Flügge - orange-yellow color; found in air and water; 9) S. hamaguchiae Saito - whitish color; found in soybeans; 10) S. citrea (Migula) Bergey et al. - lemon-yellow color; found in air; 11) S. urea (Beijerinck) Bergey et al. (Planococcus ureae Beijerinck) - yellowish; isolated from urine.