Discrimination between Contaminating and Commensal Strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis (Search for Phenotypic Virulence Criteria in Staphylococcus epidermidis)

Abstract: Staphylococcus epidermidis strains are diverse in their pathogenicity. Some are invasive virulent strains causing serious nosocomial infections; some are skin commensals with a low virulence. The discrimination of them is of great clinical significance. To analyze the implication of different factors in virulence, phenotypical methods were applied. Comparative assessment of the enzymatic activity of nosocomial and commensal strains of S. epidermidis was performed: alkaline phosphatase (PHA), beta-glucosidase (LAC)