Coagulase-Positive and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Animal Diseases

Staphylococci are among the major groups of bacterial commensals isolated from skin, skin glands, and mucous membranes of mammals. Although staphylococci may colonize inner and/or external surfaces of healthy individuals, they may also behave as opportunistic pathogens as well as leading causes of community-associated and hospital-acquired disease in humans and animals worldwide. Coagulase positive staphylococci (CoPS) (i.e., Staphylococcus aureus in humans, S. aureus and Staphylococcus (pseudo)intermedius in animals) are most commonly implicated in pathologic processes. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS—mostly Staphylococcus epidermidis in humans and dogs), instead, are considered to be less common causes of disease in animals. Although their role as nosocomial pathogens in humans is becoming increasingly important, their zoonotic potential and importance in veterinary medicine is still unclear