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Cocos Gram-positivos

Staphylococcus capitis

Gram-positive cocci in clusters

Identification & Growth

Identification

  • Coagulase-negative; species identification by MALDI-TOF

Growth Conditions

  • Blood agar, opaque white colonies, 35–37 °C, 24–48 h

Clinical Significance

  • Late-onset neonatal sepsis, particularly the NRCS-A clone
  • Catheter and cardiac device infection

Intrinsic Resistance

  • No activity of aztreonam, colistin or nalidixic acid

Bench Alerts

  • The NRCS-A clone shows reduced vancomycin susceptibility — always report the MIC

Clinical Notes

Clinical presentations

  • Late-onset neonatal sepsis, with the NRCS-A clone described in neonatal ICU outbreaks in several countries.
  • Prosthetic valve endocarditis and infection of pacemakers and other cardiac devices.
  • Catheter-related bacteremia and CSF shunt infection.

Specimens and collection

  • Paired blood cultures with adequate volume; in neonates, respect the minimum volume recommended by weight.
  • Culture of the catheter tip and of material from the removed device when indicated.
  • In suspected neonatal outbreaks, store isolates for molecular typing.

Epidemiology and at-risk populations

  • It colonizes mainly the scalp and face, favouring contamination when antisepsis is inadequate.
  • The NRCS-A clone shows international spread in neonatal ICUs with a multidrug-resistant profile.
  • Extreme prematurity, umbilical catheters and parenteral nutrition are the main risk factors.

Resistance and therapeutic implications

  • Oxacillin resistance is common; the NRCS-A clone is associated with reduced vancomycin susceptibility.
  • Determine vancomycin MIC by a quantitative method in neonatal sterile-site isolates.
  • Device removal or exchange is frequently required for infection control.

Bench and reporting notes

  • Coagulase-negative, catalase-positive, with small non-pigmented colonies on blood agar.
  • Species identification by MALDI-TOF is mandatory to differentiate it from other coagulase-negative staphylococci.
  • Repeated isolates in the same neonatal unit should be reported to infection control.

Sources

Educational decision-support content. It does not replace laboratory validation, current guidelines or review by the responsible professional.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Staphylococcus capitis in the lab?

Staphylococcus capitis is identified through coagulase-negative; species identification by maldi-tof.

What are the intrinsic resistances of Staphylococcus capitis?

This organism is naturally resistant to no activity of aztreonam, colistin or nalidixic acid. These drugs should not be reported as susceptible.

Where is Staphylococcus capitis commonly found?

It is typically associated with late-onset neonatal sepsis, particularly the nrcs-a clone, catheter and cardiac device infection.

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