Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia cases at Helen Joseph Hospital.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) presents a significant global health challenge with high mortality rates.
• Limited data exists on SAB epidemiology and outcomes within South Africa's healthcare landscape.
• Understanding local patterns is crucial for effective management and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with SAB.
• To identify key risk factors and common complications associated with SAB in a South African tertiary hospital.
• To analyze the mortality associated with SAB and its determinants.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective record review was conducted for inpatients aged 13 and above diagnosed with SAB.
• Data was collected from October 2015 to November 2022 at Helen Joseph Hospital in Gauteng, South Africa.
• Statistical analysis included calculating case fatality ratios and odds ratios for mortality risk factors.

Main Results:

• The study reviewed 126 SAB cases, with a case fatality ratio of 20.6%.
• Community-acquired SAB was frequently linked to skin/soft tissue infections, while healthcare-associated infections often involved venous catheterization.
• Key risk factors included recent hospitalization, invasive devices, and hemodialysis; hypertension and recent hospitalization significantly increased mortality risk.

Conclusions:

• SAB continues to be associated with high mortality in middle-income tertiary settings, though the case fatality rate is comparable to high-income countries.
• Achieving favorable outcomes is feasible in resource-constrained environments with access to specialized consultations, diagnostic tools, and robust infection control measures.