The speciation and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of coagulase negative Staphylococci in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai

Abstract

This study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai. Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) which were earlier regarded as commensals have emerged as pathogenic. They have emerged as an important cause of nosocomial infections. 56 clinical isolates of CoNS were considered in the study. They were identified using tube coagulase and slide coagulase methods. S. saprophyticus was the commonest species of CoNS isolated followed by S. haemolyticus. Other commonly isolated stains were S.lugdunensis and S.epidermidis. CoNS were isolated from different clinical specimens like urine, pus, blood, HVS, catheter tips, tracheal secretions and CSF. Antibiotic susceptibility of urinary as well as non-urinary isolates was tested. All strains were found to be sensitive to Linizolid. 57% were MRCoNs.