Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) meningitis; a narrative review of the literature from 2000 to 2020

Abstract Coagulase-negative staphylococci are recognized as the main part of human normal microbiota and rarely associated with severe and intensive infections. However, these organisms can cause a number of infections in humans, especially immunocompromised patients and neonates. Bacterial meningitis, as an important and acute infection in the central nervous system, is still a major global health challenge and a serious infectious disease causing a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Coagulase-negative staphylococci as causative agents of meningitis are generally related to trauma or direct implantation of foreign bodies and the presence of a CSF shunt. Numerous epidemiological and clinical studies have shown that different CoNS isolates such as Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus schleiferi, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus warneri, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus are more frequently associated with meningitis. This study attempts to determine the role of coagulase-negative staphylococci in meningitis and reviews the reported cases of meningitis induced by coagulase-negative staphylococci from the year 2000 to 2020 in the literature.