[7 cases of Staphylococcus lugdunensis infection]

Staphylococci are frequently isolated from human, animal and environmental samples. The genus Staphylococcus comprises 27 species, of which 23 are coagulase-negative. The pathogenic role of the coagulase-negative species remains to be fully established. Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a recently described coagulase-negative species. Its Latin name reflects the city (Lyon, France) where the bacteria was first described. The present study reports 7 cases of human infection caused by S. lugdunensis. Case 1: a 64 y/o diabetic woman in whom S. lugdunensis was isolated in the conjunctival exudate. Case 2: a 51 y/o male diagnosed of a bladder tumor, with S. lugdunensis detected in the purulent exudate of a transurethral resection. Case 3: an 81 y/o woman with cerebrovascular stroke, in whom S. lugdunensis was isolated from urine. Case 4: a 65 y/o male with bacterial endocarditis and S. lugdunensis isolation in blood culture. Case 5: a 79 y/o male with liver cirrhosis and S. lugdunensis in blood culture. Case 6: a 75 y/o female with cerebrovascular stroke, in whom S. lugdunensis was isolated from urine. Case 7: a 77 y/o male diagnosed of femoral osteosarcoma and isolation of S. lugdunensis in the purulent exudate of the wound. The present communication broadens the range of clinical syndromes in which coagulase-negative S. lugdunensis appears as pathogen.