Infectious diseases specialist consultation in Staphylococcus lugdunensis bacteremia

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Internal Medicine
• Medical Microbiology

Background:

• Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus lugdunensis can cause severe bacteremia (SLB) with significant complications.
• Established treatment guidelines for SLB are lacking, necessitating further research into optimal management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of infectious diseases specialist consultation (IDSC) on the management and prognosis of patients with SLB.
• To compare outcomes based on the type of IDSC received: formal bedside, informal telephone, or no consultation.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter retrospective study involving 104 patients diagnosed with SLB.
• Patients were stratified based on the timing and type of IDSC received within 7 days of diagnosis.
• Outcomes including diagnostic procedures, deep infection diagnosis, and mortality at 28 days, 90 days, and 1 year were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Patients receiving bedside IDSC were more likely to undergo transthoracic echocardiography and have deep infections diagnosed compared to those receiving telephone IDSC or no IDSC.
• Overall mortality rates at 90 days and 1 year were significantly lower in patients who received any form of IDSC compared to those without consultation.
• No significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, or initial illness severity were observed between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Infectious diseases specialist consultation is associated with improved diagnostic workup and management of SLB.
• IDSC, particularly formal bedside consultation, appears to positively impact patient prognosis and reduce mortality in SLB.
• These findings underscore the importance of timely IDSC for optimizing care in patients with Staphylococcus lugdunensis bacteremia.