European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Purpose: Bacteremia is considered as a major cause of hospital acquired infections. The longer hospital stays and instrumentation on patients has led to increase in incidence of bacteremia. The common source being the normal commensal of the skin, anterior nares and the ear canals of the patients. The common commensal being Coagulase negative staphylococci have not been considered as pathogen for true bacteremia, but because use of intravascular devices and prolonged hospital stay has led these bacteria as a major causative agent. The aim of this study is to know the CoNS species distribution, its biofilm activity and to understand the various pathogenicity attributes causing bacteremia.
Material and Methods: A minimum of 50 CoNS species were collected from positive blood culture samples and identified along with its antibiogram assay. Production of slime was demonstrated by Tissue culture plate method. Other pathogenicity factors were analysed to clinically correlate the true bacteraemia.
Results: Out of 47 isolates, 68.08% were Methicillin sensitive CoNS and 32% were Methicillin resistant CoNS. 53.1% demonstrated slime production and 46.8% were negative for slime production.
Conclusion: CoNS are the major cause for nosocomial infections causing true bacteremia. The identification of CoNS species along with its anti-biogram pattern and its ability to produce biofilm, helps in the better management of cases and to prevent the infections.