[Coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from cases of infective endocarditis].

In this study we investigated the properties of 47 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and 61 strains of CNS isolated from the skin flora of healthy people. Significant differences between the properties of CNS from IE and from the skin flora were seen in the production of protease, lipase, fibrinolysin, siderophore and the ability of hydrophobic CNS strains to adhere to buccal epithelial cells. CNS from IE and from the skin flora did not differ in the production of glycocalyx, capsule, hemolysin and fibronectin and collagen binding. Multiple resistant strains were present among CNS isolated from patients with IE.