COAGULASE-NEGATIVE STAPHYLOCOCCI AS CAUSATIVE AGENTS OF HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS

Abstract

Novel insight about coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have been discussed. Recently, CoNS were considered commensal symbionts of the skin and mucous membranes of humans and animals without clinical significance. Currently, CoNS are among the leading etiological agents of purulent-septic infections (PSI), including those that belong to healthcare-associated infections (HAI). The morphological and physiological characteristics of CoNS involved in the formation pathogenic potential are considered. The frequent presence of SCCmec chromosome cassettes in the CoNS genome determines the high level of their methicillin resistance which exceeds that of S.aureus. In the conditions of high antibiotic pressure in the nosocomial environment, CoNS becomes a reservoir of resistance genes. The presence of unidentified types of use of SCCmec and the possibility of spreading mobile phenomena between CoNS and S.aureus causes clinical and epidemiological danger, the frequency of antibiotic use in HAI and an increased risk of pathogen circulation in the hospital environment. The most frequent forms of HAI caused by individual representatives of the CoNS are presented. Vulnerable contingents for these infections are premature newborns and persons of any age with compromised immunity. The necessity of epidemiological control improving in the CoNS including local microbiological monitoring using modern molecular biological methods is justified.