Coagulase Negative Staphylococci in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Are We Any Smarter?

Coagulase negative staphylococci are increasingly common organisms isolated in the evaluation of neonates with sepsis. However, there is a lack of consensus on the definition of true infection and the criteria for treatment. This article presents clinically useful methods to distinguish true infection from contamination. Additionally, we describe clinically relevant virulence factors contributing to the pathogenicity of various species. Knowing these virulence factors may help to stratify patient risk for serious infection. There are inconsistent data regarding the clinical importance of coagulase negative staphylococcal infections in the neonatal population. This inconsistency highlights the importance of establishing a consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of these infections in both the clinical and research arenas.