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Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

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Abstract

Coagulase-negative staphylococcus organisms may be normal flora of human skin, however these bacteria can also be pathogens in skin and soft tissue infections. A summary of skin and soft tissue infections caused by coagulase-negative staphylococcus species is provided in this review. We conducted a search of the PubMed database using the following terms: abscess, auricularis, biofilm, capitis, cellulitis, coagulase, contaminant, cyst, draining, epidermidis, felon, folliculitis, furuncle, haemolyticus, hominis, indolent, infection, lugdunensis, mecA, microbiome, negative, osteomyelitis, paronychia, saprophyticus, skin, simulans, sinus, soft, staphylococcus, systemic, tissue, virulence, virulent, and vulvar. The relevant papers, and their references, generated by the search were reviewed. Skin and soft tissue infections have been observed to be caused by many coagulase-negative staphylococcus organisms: Staphylococcus auricularis, Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Staphylococcus simulans. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus skin infections predominantly present as abscesses and paronychia. They are most common in elderly patients or those individuals who are immunosuppressed, and tend to be broadly susceptible to antibiotic treatment. In conclusion, albeit less common, coagulase-negative staphylococcus organisms can result in skin and soft tissue infections, particularly in older and/or immunocompromised individuals. A review of the literature found that coagulase-negative staphylococcus organisms are most commonly grown in cultures of abscesses and paronychia. Therefore, coagulase-negative staphylococcal organisms should not always be considered as contaminants or normal flora, but rather as causative pathogens. They are usually susceptible to antibiotics used to treat methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA

    Nicola E. Natsis

  2. Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, 10991 Twinleaf Court, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92131-3642, USA

    Philip R. Cohen

Authors
  1. Nicola E. Natsis
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Correspondence to Nicola E. Natsis or Philip R. Cohen.

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No funding was received for the preparation of this manuscript.

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NE Natsis and PR Cohen have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Natsis, N.E., Cohen, P.R. Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus Skin and Soft Tissue Infections. Am J Clin Dermatol 19, 671–677 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-018-0362-9

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