coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species

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

(kō-ag'yū-lās neg'ă-tiv staf'i-lō-kok'ŭs spē'shēz) A group of bacterial species that includes a group of those present as normal flora of human skin, respiratory, and mucous membrane surfaces; prominent cause 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.