Species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from clinical specimens at a tertiary care hospital

Background and objectives: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are considered important causative agents of hospital acquired infection. These organisms are found in various clinical specimens from hospitalized patients. Present study was carried out to determine the species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of CoNS isolated from clinical specimens at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and methods: CoNS isolated from various clinical samples were included in this study. The isolates were identified by colony morphology, Gram’s staining, catalase and coagulase tests. Further differentiation of species was performed by susceptibility to novobiocin, urease activity and ornithine decarboxylase test. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Total 108 isolates of CoNS were included and analysed. Out of 108 CoNS, S. epidermidis was the most common species (36.1%) followed by S. saprophyticus (23.1%), S. hemolyticus (17.6%), S. hominis (13%) and S. lugdunensis (10.2%). Most of the isolates showed resistance to penicillin, oxacillin, amoxycillin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. All the isolates were sensitive to vancomycin. Conclusions: CoNS emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen and should not be neglected as contaminant. High rate of antimicrobial resistance warrants susceptibility testing prior to the treatment of CoNS. IMC J Med Sci. 2024; 18(1):010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.18.010 *Correspondence: Sabiha S Tamboli, Department of Microbiology, Parbhani Medical College and RP Hospital Research Institute, Pathri Road, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India. Email: sabihatamboli77@gmail.com