Neonatal Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: A 12-Year Retrospective Study on Treatment Duration and Relapse

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

• Neonatal Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (NSAB) treatment guidelines recommend at least 14 days of antibiotics.
• Current recommendations are based on limited evidence.
• This study investigates the impact of antibiotic duration on NSAB relapse rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the rate of NSAB relapse in neonates treated with antibiotics for less than 14 days versus 14 days or more.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of shorter antibiotic durations for NSAB.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study conducted in three neonatal intensive care units.
• Included neonates with S. aureus bacteremia between January 2010 and December 2022.
• Defined relapse as S. aureus identification in blood culture within 3 months of antibiotic cessation.

Main Results:

• 134 neonates were analyzed; 94 received <14 days and 40 received ≥14 days of antibiotics.
• Relapse occurred in 12% of the <14-day group and 10% of the ≥14-day group.
• No statistically significant difference in relapse rates was observed between the two groups (P=0.775).

Conclusions:

• Antibiotic therapy for NSAB for less than 14 days was not associated with an increased risk of relapse in this cohort.
• Further clinical trials are needed to establish optimal antibiotic treatment durations for NSAB.
• Findings may inform future guidelines for NSAB management.