Pathogens
Staphylococci, coagulase negative (CONS)

Staphylococci, coagulase negative (CONS)

Precautions

Standard Precautions

General Information

Gram positive cocci in clusters, coagulase-negative.

Ubiquitous - skin organism.

Most commonly a skin contaminant/colonizer.

The most common contaminant of blood cultures. More likely true bloodstream infection if present in multiple blood culture sets.

This may be a real pathogen particularly in nosocomial setting. Multiple blood cultures recommended.

Disease manifestations include infections of prosthetic materials including:

  • Line-associated bloodstream infections
  • Prosthetic valve endocarditis
  • Prosthetic joints

Staphylococcus saprophyticus causes UTI in young females, but is very rare

Staphylococcus lugdenensis acts more like Staphylococcus aureus and is more virulent than other CoNS - should always be considered as a pathogen and treated like S. aureus