Staphylococcus epidermidis in urine is not always benign: a case report of pyelonephritis in a child.

PURPOSE Staphylococcus epidermidis in urine cultures from previously healthy children is usually considered to be a contaminant. The goal of this study was to identify cases in which S. epidermidis was an infectious cause of urinary tract infection (UTI) in children. METHODS A literature search identified 7 cases, 6 of which were previously published and 1 which was unpublished, described herein. RESULTS S. epidermidis was identified as the causative organism of UTIs in children with underlying urinary tract abnormalities. CONCLUSION UTIs caused by S. epidermidis in a previously healthy child should not be disregarded as a contaminant and further workup for urinary tract abnormality is indicated.