Etiologic Importance of Coagulase‐Negative Micrococcaceae Isolated from Blood Cultures

Abstract

Coagulase‐negative Micrococcaceae from blood cultures were classified biochemically according to Baird‐Parker and to Kloos & Schleifer and by means of antibiotic susceptibility testing, in an attempt to distinguish between bacterial growth due to contamination and growth due to bacteremia. S. epidermidis biotype 1 (according to Baird‐Parker) accounted for c. 60% of the isolates and for c. 85% of the isolates considered to be of clinical importance. The more time‐ and resource‐demanding classification of Kloos & Schleifer provided no further clinically useful information, as the predominant number of isolates turned out to be S. epidermidis. Isolates other than S. epidermidis (according to Kloos & Schleifer) accounted for c. 45% of the total number of isolates but for only 20% of the isolates considered of clinical importance. Resistance to multiple antibiotics was recorded more often in isolates from patients with positive clinical information than in isolates thought to be contaminators. The frequency of blood cultures contaminated with coagulase‐negative Micrococcaceae was estimated at c. 1.5%. Records from 91 patients were reviewed. By correlating the clinical findings to biochemical classification, resistance types, and the massiveness of growth it was suggested that the quantitative rather than the qualitative findings are suitable for determining clinical significance of isolates of coagulase‐negative Micrococcaceae from blood cultures.

Antibiotic‐producing Micrococcales govern the microbiome that inhabits the fur of two‐ and three‐toed sloths

“…Most of the organisms found in this family are characterized as being halotolerant with the ability to produce sulfur volatile compounds (Arfi et al ., 2003). Members of the Micrococcaceae family are usually associated with the skin microbiota of mammals (Collins et al ., 2000), blood cultures (Hansen, 1985), and in various soil samples including marine sediments (Kim et al ., 2004). These microorganisms have demonstrated a vigorous metabolism and an exceptional ability to adapt to harsh conditions (Dastager et al ., 2014).…”

Antibiotic-producing Micrococcales govern the microbiome that inhabits the fur of two- and three-toed sloths

“…Most of the organisms found in this family are characterized as being halotolerant with the ability to produce sulfur volatile compounds (Arfi et al, 2003). Members of the Micrococcaceae family are usually associated with the skin microbiota of mammals (Collins et al, 2000), blood cultures (Hansen, 1985), and in various soil samples including marine sediments (Kim et al, 2004). These microorganisms have demonstrated a vigorous metabolism and an exceptional ability to adapt to harsh conditions (Dastager et al, 2014).…”

Draft Genome Sequences of Heat Shock-Tolerant Microbes Isolated from a Spacecraft Assembly Facility

“…Micrococcales are also Gram stain-positive, but non-spore-forming, obligate aerobes often found on skin and food products ( 10 ). Bacillales and Micrococcales have been implicated as food spoilage agents ( 10 ) and as normal microorganisms of the skin microbiome that can be problematic during surgery, causing nosocomial infections, including bacteremia ( 11 – 13 ).…”