Identification of coagulase-negative Staphylococci isolated from urinary tract infections.

Coagulase-negative Staphylococci isolated from urinary tract infections were identified using the API Staph-Ident System. Organisms were excluded if there was no sign of pyuria or if normal urethral flora was present in significant amounts. While Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Staphylococcus epidermidis accounted for 81% of the isolates from females, 87% of isolates from males were S. epidermidis, Staphylococcus warneri, or Staphylococcus haemolyticus. The females fell into two main age groups, those with infections due to S. saprophyticus (mean age 25 years) and those due to other Staphylococci (mean age 40-49 years). All males were in a single age group (mean age 70-74 years) irrespective of the infecting agent. In males, S. warneri was associated with cellular changes in the bladder. No similar association was apparent with the other organisms. The results suggest that, apart from S. saprophyticus, three species of Staphylococcus (S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, S. warneri) account for most urinary tract infections, irrespective of the sex of the patient.