[Coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from patients. II. Species diversity of the strains]

Of 403 coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains isolated from patients with different forms of infection 68,1% of the cultures could be identified in accordance with the scheme proposed by Akatov and Devriese. Of these, S. epidermidis constituted 55.1%, S. saprophyticus 13.5%, S. sciuri, S. warneri, S. cohnii, etc., 0.4% to 5.5%. A small group (8,2%) of novobiocin-resistant S. epidermidis and S. hominis strains was detected. S. epidermidis and S. warneri were isolated mostly in septicemia, conjunctivitis, purulent processes; S. saprophyticus and S. sciuri from infected wounds, nonidentified Staphylococcus spp., group I, in urological diseases. The cultures of S. epidermidis sensu stricto belonged, as a rule, to biotype 1, S. epidermidis according to Baird-Parker, S. hominis and S. stimulans belonged to biotype 4. No strains of biotype 2 were detected.