Staphylococcus lugdunensis: the coagulase-negative staphylococcus you don't want to ignore.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a virulent coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) that behaves like Staphylococcus aureus. Toxic shock syndrome, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and postoperative endopthalmitis have been observed. Endocarditis complicated by heart failure, periannular abscess formation and embolic phenomenon have brought particular attention to this CoNS. Mortality rates for endocarditis appear higher when compared with other CoNS. Owing to the laboratory methods used, identification may be misleading. beta-lactam antimicrobials are recommended pending sensitivities. Evaluation for endocarditis should be pursued in bacteremic patients due to its pathogenic potential.