[Clinical, epidemiologic and bacteriological characteristics of urinary tract infections due to Staphylococcus saprophyticus in the central part of Tunisia].

Aim: We assess the clinical, epidemiologic and bacteriological aspects of urinary tract infections due to S. saprophyticus through a sample collected in the central part of Tunisia.

Methods: Retrospective study, related to 92 strains of S. saprophyticus, isolated among positive urinary specimens in 2006. Considered data were: sex, age, original departments, symptoms, type of urinary tract infection, diagnosis date and susceptibility of strains to antibiotics.

Results: Patients are young women in 98% (average age: 31.5 years) with cystitis in 99%. They are outpatients in 90%. S. saprophyticus represents 2.8% of all uropathogens; it is the first cocci with positive Gram (28.2%). Any seasonal variation is noticed. S. saprophyticus has shown higher susceptibility to antibiotics than other staphylococci; cotrimoxazole, fluoroquinolons and nitrofurans represent the best treatment.

Conclusion: S. saprophyticus is responsible of cystitis in young women. There is no seasonal variation in our area. This community staphylococci is very susceptible to antibiotics.