Mortality predictors of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: a prospective multicenter study

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Microbiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) presents a significant mortality risk.
• Predictive factors for SAB mortality and clinical outcomes require further clarification.
• This study investigated mortality predictors in SAB patients across eight Turkish tertiary care hospitals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify independent predictors of mortality in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB).
• To analyze demographic, clinical, and laboratory factors associated with SAB mortality.
• To provide insights for improving clinical management and patient outcomes in SAB.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study involving adult patients with SAB.
• Data collection included demographics, clinical findings, laboratory results, antibiotic use, and outcomes over a 3-year period.
• Cox proportional hazard model used to determine independent predictors of 28-day mortality.

Main Results:

• 255 SAB episodes analyzed; median age 59 years; 55.7% healthcare-associated.
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) caused 39.2% of SAB cases.
• Independent predictors of mortality included older age (HR 1.03), ICU admission (HR 6.9), and high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score (HR 1.32).

Conclusions:

• Age, ICU admission, and high CCI score are independent predictors of mortality in SAB.
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was significantly associated with increased mortality.
• Findings highlight the importance of comorbidity assessment and early ICU intervention for SAB patients.