Evaluation of Virulence of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci, Isolated from Sexually Active Women with Symptomatic Genital Tract Infection in Vitro

Abstract

This study included 33 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from sexually active females with symptomatic genital tract infection (64 pregnant and 110 non-pregnant). Phenotypic virulence characterization showed that 63.6% of CNS isolates were hemolytic; 87.8% were lipolytic; 96.9% were biofilm formers; 18.1% were urease producers; and 18.1% were proteolytic. With the exception of lipolytic activity and biofilm formation, co-expression of other factors showed that there is an opposite expression of hemolytic and proteolytic activities. Only 3/33 (9%) of the isolates were hemolytic and proteolytic. We concluded that, for this study included factors, the virulence of CNS isolated from females' genital tract infection, is notable and that CNS can be opportunistic pathogens in these cases rather than mere contaminants