





Speciation and Antibiogram of Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CONS) from Various Clinical Specimens
Subscribe/Renew Journal
Background
CONS are the major nosocomial pathogens. These undoubtedly need more recognition. Susceptibility testing should be done on any isolate considered to be a pathogen as multidrug resistance is common among them.
Aims
• Isolation, identification and speciation of CONS.
• To identify their pathogenicity markers, antibiogram with special emphasis on methicillin resistance.
Settings and Design
This cross sectional study was conducted at a government tertiary healthcare teaching center for a period of one year.
Material and Methods
Totally 2361 clinical specimens were processed. All specimens were subjected to gram's staining and cultured for isolation. The organisms were identified and speciated by standard biochemical reactions. Antibiogram was formed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.
Statistical Analysis
The data entry was carried out using Microsoft office Excel worksheet and was statistically analyzed by WINKS SDA6 software.
Results
A total of 150 strains of CONS were isolated from 2361 clinical specimens. Majority of CONS were isolated from urine (44.67%), followed by exudates (33.33%), and blood (22%). Most common species isolated was S.epidermidis (50.67%), followed by S.saprophyticus (22%) and S.hemolyticus (18%). Slime production (38.67%) and methicillin resistance (54.67%) was detected respectively. Vancomycin and amikacin were the most effective antibiotics.
Conclusion
S.epidermidis can cause a number of human infections and should no longer be considered as a harmless commensal. S.saprophyticus is proven pathogen in man. The antibiotic resistance pattern in CONS is a great threat to clinicians combating such infections.