[Staphylococcus--an agent of nosocomial infections]

Staphylococcus is an important agent of nosocomial infection, especially: urinary tract infections, pneumonia and intraabdominal infections in surgery. The most important are the coagulase-negative staphylococci by their adherence and growth on surfaces of intravenous catheters. The structural components, the enzymes and toxins are the most important factors that take up the capacity of the agent in developing nosocomial infections. Handwashing practices, antibiotic prophylaxis are important, especially in the immunocompromised host.