Twenty-six coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from patients with various foreign body infections were characterised using different typing systems. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most predominant species found. Phage typability was below 50% in all strains. The strains showed differences in surface properties--relative hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity--and ability to adhere to polystyrene with subsequent slime production (adherence tube test). Protein and polypeptide profiles as well as plasmid profiles demonstrated the heterogeneity of the strains. Thus, this preliminary study indicates that all coagulase-negative staphylococci of human origin may become involved in foreign body infections.