Pathogens
Staphylococci, coagulase negative (except S. lugdunensis)

Staphylococci, coagulase negative (except S. lugdunensis)

Precautions

Routine Practices

General Information

Aerobic or facultatively anaerobic Gram-positive cocci in clusters, coagulase negative.

Normally found as a commensal flora of the skin and mucous membranes of humans and other mammals.

Global distribution. Transmission occurs through endogenous dissemination, direct contact with wounds, or contamination of foreign devices (e.g. catheters, lines).

Isolation of coagulase-negative staphylococci often represents colonization, and appropriate clinical judgement is important to interpret culture results.

Associated with nosocomial infections including:

  • Central-line associated bloodstream infections
  • Prosthetic valve infective endocarditis
  • Cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections (e.g. pacemaker, defibrillator, etc.)
  • Endovascular graft infections
  • Prosthetic joint infections
  • Surgical site infections
  • VP shunt infections
  • Peritoneal dialysis catheter infections
  • Postoperative endophthalmitis

S. saprophyticus is associated with community-acquired urinary tract infections, especially in young females.

S. lugdunensis can be more virulent and may present similarly to S. aureus.