over 40 different species
Often cause infections associated with foreign materials
Valves, Prosthesis, indwelling catheter, etc.
Most common cause of bacteremia
ALSO most common blood culture contaminant - need to assess if clinically relevant
Not as virulent as S. aureus
Diseases
Endocarditis (5% native; 40% prosthetic valve)
IV catheter infections
CSF shunts, prosthetic devices, etc.
S. saprophyticus – UTIs in young females
S. lugdunensis – it thinks it’s S. aureus (more virulent than other CONS)