Coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from various skin lesions

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are common skin inhabitants, but their role in skin infections is not fully understood.
• Previous studies have focused on Staphylococcus aureus, leaving the pathogenic potential of various CoNS species less explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and species distribution of CoNS isolated from various skin diseases.
• To identify CoNS species most frequently associated with suppurative skin lesions.
• To assess the prevalence of methicillin resistance among isolated CoNS strains.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and identification of 162 CoNS strains from skin infection and colonization sites between January 1995 and January 1998.
• Species identification using standard microbiological techniques.
• Determination of methicillin resistance by oxacillin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).

Main Results:

• Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=28) and S. lugdunensis (n=4) were most frequently isolated from suppurative lesions.
• S. hominis (n=7) and S. capitis (n=5) were implicated as potential pathogens in initiating suppuration.
• Methicillin resistance was observed in 46.4% of S. epidermidis strains and 29.3% of other CoNS strains.
• No significant differences in susceptibility to antistaphylococcal agents were found between coagulase-positive and -negative staphylococci.

Conclusions:

• Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. lugdunensis are significant pathogens in skin suppurative lesions.
• Staphylococcus hominis and S. capitis may play a role in the development of purulent skin conditions.
• A substantial proportion of isolated CoNS strains exhibit methicillin resistance, highlighting the need for surveillance.