Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a Gram-positive, catalase-positive, coagulase-negative cocci that is part of the normal genital flora. It is a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in sexually active young women. Unlike S. epidermidis, it is novobiocin-resistant, which helps differentiate between coagulase-negative staphylococci in laboratory diagnosis.

Urease-positive organisms produce the enzyme urease, which hydrolyzes urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, increasing the pH of their environment. This enzyme aids bacterial survival and virulence, especially in the urinary tract and stomach. Common urease-positive organisms include Proteus, Klebsiella, Helicobacter pylori, Ureaplasma, Nocardia, Cryptococcus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.