Staphylococcus species coagulase-negative

Staph·y·lo·coc·cus spe·cies co·ag·u·lase-neg·a·tive

(staf'i-lō-kok'ŭs spē'shēz, kō-ag'yū-lās neg'ă-tiv) A group of bacterial species that includes a group of those present as normal flora of human skin, respiratory, and mucous membrane surfaces. Although a normal commensal, strains are prominent causes of nosocomial infections, especially in patients with implanted intravenous access devices; some strains form abscesses and cause diverse pathologic processes, such as sinusitis, wound infections, and osteomyelitis.