[Typing of skin staphylococci using the commercial identification system Staphy-Test]

The authors examined 150 strains of S. aureus and 180 strains of S. epidermidis isolated from different dermatoses. The determination of S. aureus and S. epidermidis was based on common routine tests as plasmacoagulase, production of hemolysin, acid production from mannitol and production of pigment. This determination was verified with the aid of a new identification system STAPHYtest. The STAPHYtest confirmed the previous diagnosis of S. aureus in 60.66% and that of S. epidermidis in 31.66% of strains only. The remaining strains were identified by means of STAPHYtest as S. simulans, S. xylosus, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S. warneri, S. auricularis, S. sciuri and Micrococcus sp. The authors discuss the importance of an curate identification of skin staphylococci by means of STAPHYtest for taxonomic purposes and for classification of staphylococci influence on different dermatoses.