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What is the Difference Between Coagulase Negative and Positive Staphylococcus

Dr.Samanthi

Coagulase is an enzyme that helps blood clotting by converting fibrinogen into fibrin. Staphylococcus bacteria can be classified into two types based on their ability to produce coagulase: coagulase negative and coagulase positive. Understanding the difference between coagulase negative and positive Staphylococcus bacteria is important for medical diagnosis and treatment. This article provides an overview of the characteristics, behavior, and implications of these two types of bacteria, focusing on their distinct features and relevance in healthcare.

The difference between coagulase negative and positive Staphylococcus is their ability to produce coagulase enzymes. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus are not able to produce coagulase enzymes, while coagulase positive Staphylococcus can produce coagulase enzymes.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus
3. What is Coagulase Positive Staphylococcus
4. Similarities – Coagulase Negative and Positive Staphylococcus
5. Coagulase Negative vs Positive Staphylococcus in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Coagulase Negative vs Positive Staphylococcus
7. FAQ – Coagulase Negative and Positive Staphylococcus

What is Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus?

Coagulase-negative Staphylococci are an important part of normal skin microbiota. They also colonize mucous membranes in adults and children from a few weeks of birth. Normally, Staphylococci species prefer humid areas, and they are commonly found in the axillae, gluteal, inguinal regions, anterior nares, and conjunctiva.

Figure 01: Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus

Some well-known coagulase-negative staphylococcal species are S. epidermidis (tends to colonize in the axillae, groin, perineum, toe webs, anterior nares, and conjunctiva), S. haemolyticus, S. hominis (tend to colonize in the axillae and pubic areas high in apocrine glands) S. capitis (tends to colonize by surrounding the sebaceous glands on the forehead and scalp) and S. lugdunensis (tends to colonize in the axillae, pelvis, perineum regions, groin & lower extremities). Furthermore, they are less pathogenic. These species are still involved in some human diseases, such as Millaria and atopic dermatitis (S. epidermidis).

What is Coagulase Positive Staphylococcus?

One of the most important phenotypical features used in classifying Staphylococci species is their ability to produce coagulase. It is an enzyme that causes blood clot formation. Coagulase positive Staphylococcus is highly pathogenic.

Figure 02: Coagulase Positive Staphylococcus

Currently, seven Staphylococcus species are being recognized as coagulase-positive. They are S. aureus, S. delphini, S. hyicus, S. intermedius, S. lutrae, S. pseudintermedius, and S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans. They occur on the face, but also in axillary, inguinal, and other flexural locations. Furthermore, these species cause a wide variety of diseases, such as abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis.

Similarities Between Coagulase Negative and Positive Staphylococcus

  1. Coagulase negative and positive Staphylococcus are two different groups of Staphylococcus bacteria, categorized based on the ability to produce coagulase enzyme.
  2. Species of both groups are present in humans and other animals.
  3. Species of both groups can cause diseases in humans.
  4. They are controlled by the antibiotics.

Comparing the Difference Between Coagulase Negative and Positive Staphylococcus

Definition

  1. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus refers to a group of bacteria species that do not produce the enzyme coagulase.
  2. Coagulase positive Staphylococcus refers to species that produce the enzyme coagulase.

Pathogenicity

  1. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus are less pathogenic.
  2. Coagulase positive Staphylococcus are highly pathogenic.

Examples

  1. S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, S. hominis S. capitis, and S. lugdunensis are examples of coagulase negative Staphylococcus.
  2. S. aureus, S. delphini, S. hyicus, S. intermedius, S. lutrae, S. pseudintermedius, and S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans are examples of coagulase positive Staphylococcus.

Location in the Body

  1. Coagulase negative species are commonly found in various locations such as the axillae, groin, perineum, toe webs, anterior nares, conjunctiva, pubic areas, apocrine glands, surrounding the sebaceous glands on the forehead and scalp, pelvis, perineum regions, and groin & lower extremities.
  2. Coagulase positive species are often found in axillary, inguinal, and other flexural locations.

Diseases Caused

    1. Coagulase negative species may contribute to conditions such as miliaria and atopic dermatitis.
    2. Coagulase positive species are known to cause more severe diseases, including abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis.

The infographic below presents the differences between coagulase negative and positive Staphylococcus in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Coagulase Negative vs Positive Staphylococcus

Coagulase negative and positive Staphylococcus are two different groups of Staphylococcus bacteria based on their ability to produce coagulase enzymes. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus are not able to produce coagulase enzymes while coagualse positive Staphylococcus can produce coagulase enyume. Furthermore, coagulase negative Staphylococcus are less pathogenic whereas coagulase positive Staphylococcus are highly pathogenic. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between coagulase negative and positive Staphylococcus.

FAQ: Coagulase Negative and Positive Staphylococcus

1. What is the difference between positive and negative coagulase?

      • If positive, the plasma will coagulate, resulting in a clot. The clot is formed when the liquid completely solidifies. If negative, the plasma remains liquid. This is based on the production of an enzyme called coagulase.

2. Is coagulase-negative staph resistant to antibiotics?

      • Yes, a significant feature of coagulase-negative Staphylococci, especially strains isolated from animals and clinical samples, is their resistance to routinely used antibiotics, although they are less pathogenic.

3. What is the best treatment for CoNS?

      • Vancomycin is the cornerstone for the treatment of infections caused by S. epidermidis and other CoNS. This is because 80-90% of strains responsible for nosocomial infections are resistant to semi-synthetic, penicillinase-stable penicillins such as oxacillin and nafcillin.

4. What diseases are caused by Staphylococcus aureus?

      • Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis. Although most staph infections are not serious, S. aureus can cause serious infections like bloodstream infections, pneumonia, or bone and joint infections.

5. What are the 3 symptoms of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)?

      • Common symptoms of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) include skin infections characterized by red, swollen lesions or abscesses, accompanied by pus or drainage. Systemic symptoms may include fever, chills, and feelings of illness, while respiratory symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain can occur in more severe cases.
Reference:

1. Becker, Karsten, et al. “Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci.” Clinical Microbiology Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Foster, Timothy. “Staphylococcus.” Medical Microbiology. 4th Edition., U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Staphylococcus epidermidis Bacteria” By (CC BY 2.0 DEED) via Flickr

2. “Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, MRSA” By (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr

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