Aim: Comparative analysis of species diversity of sample of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated in hospitals of different specializations.
Materials and methods: For identification of 102 CNS strains, biochemical systems manufactured by NPO "Diagnostic Systems", VITEK 2 Compact, and BBL Crystal as well as sequencing of fragments of tuf and gap genes were used.
Results: Greater differentiating capability of genotyping compared with phenotyping methods for species identification of staphylococci was demonstrated. Six CNS species were identified in the sample: S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, S. hominis, S. warneri, S. capitis, and S. pasteuri. The largest species diversity was noted for strains from maternity hospitals in Nizhny Novgorod and Kulakov Scientific Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology. Strains isolated from blood of patients in Bakulev Center for Cardiovascular Surgery were represented mostly by S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus. Differences in species diversity of CNS--causative agents of neonatal conjunctivitis and omphalitis--were observed.
Conclusion: Two species of CNS: S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus pose special threat as nosocomial pathogens both in hospitals for adults and obstetrical facilities. Additionally, in neonatal units it is necessary to control such species as S. warneri, S. capitis, S. pasteuri.