[The incidence of Staphylococcus saprophyticus in urine and its identification]

Having in mind the known fact that Staphylococcus saproplyticus is one of the most common causes of acute urinary infections, especially in females in the generative period, we have studied its incidence in 12,556 urine samples (6,374 of females and 6,182 of males) taken at the clinics and polyclinics of the Military Medical Academy. For identification of Staphylococcus saprophyticus we have used disk-diffusion test for sensitivity to novobiocin. In order to check realiability of this test we have studied morphological and biochemical characteristics in 30 novobiocin-resistant and 30 novobiocin-sensitive strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci. Of 12,556 examined urine samples we have isolated 217 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci (10(4) and more bacteria/ml of urine in pure culture). Of this number 33 strains (15.2%) were resistent to novobiocin and we have regarded them as Staphylococcus saprophyticus. The greatest incidence of novobiocin-resistant strains we have found in the urine of female patients treated at polyclinics (19, e.i. 57.6%). Resistence to novobiocin, formation of light yellowish pigment and absence of beta-hemolysis have shown to be satisfactory criteria in diagnosis of Staphylococcus saprophyticus from urine.