Final answer:
False, scabies is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, not by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, which are bacteria that cause other skin infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that scabies is most likely caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) is false. Scabies is actually caused by a mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (part of GABHS) are bacteria that can cause various skin infections, including cellulitis, impetigo, and in severe cases, necrotizing fasciitis, but they are not responsible for scabies.
Staphylococcus aureus can indeed cause serious infections and is known for its resistance to many antibiotics, leading to MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Likewise, Streptococcus pyogenes is responsible for diseases such as strep throat, scarlet fever, and some skin infections. It is important to properly identify these bacteria, as they require different treatments. When diagnosing skin infections, laboratory tests such as gram staining, catalase tests, and cultures are commonly used. Staphylococcus species are catalase-positive and can be identified by their characteristic grape-like clusters when observed under a microscope.