Staphylococcus Epidermidis

Staphylococcus epidermidis - one of thirty three Staphylococcus known species

       Staphylococcus epidermidis is consequently found on human skin and it is a normal part of our flora. It is the most common species found in hospitals and in most of the laboratory tests. It is usually non-pathogenic and it usually becomes harmful in patient with a weakened immune system. Staphylococcus epidermidis infection can occur in dialysis patients and on medical prostheses and intravenous catheters. Most infections start with skin wounds.

        Staph epidermidis can cause infections in carriers of foreign equipment (catheter intra-vascular, bone and joint prostheses, pacemaker housings, valves bypass cerebrospinal fluid ...). Exopolysaccharides production has the capacity to increase its adherence to biomaterials and will prevent the penetration of antibiotics, making eradication difficult.

        Staph epidermidis is responsible for septicemia, especially in the oncology and neonatology of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients, especially of endocarditis in patients bearing prosthetic valvular heart valve infections of cerebrospinal fluid shunt - oblongata.
More rarely, this species is responsible for infections on orthopedic prosthesis of cystitis and pyelonephritis.
Staphylococcus haemolyticus is the second species responsible for human infections, especially suppurations, urinary tract infections and septicemia.