Human infections caused by thiamine- or menadione-requiring Staphylococcus aureus

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Abstract
Stable dwarf forms of S. aureus were identified in clinical specimens as the sole or predominant isolate in 8 cases. These organisms are menadione or thiamine dependent, i.e., cultivation in the presence of 1 of these agents permitted growth of colonies which appear typical of S. aureus. In vitro resistance to aminoglycosides was overcome by cultivation in the presence of menadione or thiamine. Menadione- or thiamine-requiring S. aureus can be considered as causative agents in severe human infections. Special care must be taken if they are to be identified in pathological specimens. Their antibiotic sensitivity testing should be done comparatively on supplemented and nonsupplemented media.