Which Staphylococcus species is typically identified as coagulase negative and novobiocin sensitive?

Staphylococcus epidermidis is well-known to be a coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) and is commonly part of the normal flora of human skin. Unlike Staphylococcus aureus, which is coagulase-positive, coagulase-negative staphylococci do not produce this enzyme, making them less virulent. Staphylococcus epidermidis is also sensitive to novobiocin, a characteristic that distinguishes it from Staphylococcus saprophyticus, which is coagulase-negative but resistant to novobiocin. This sensitivity to novobiocin is significant in clinical diagnostics, as it aids in the identification of Staphylococcus epidermidis in laboratory settings. The other species listed, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus intermedius, are not coagulase-negative and do not share the same sensitivity profile. Thus, the identification of Staphylococcus epidermidis as coagulase-negative and novobiocin sensitive is important for understanding its role in human health and its implications in clinical microbiology.