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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus infections
A M Knudsen1, V T Rosdahl, F Espersen
1Staphylococcus Laboratory, Statens Seruminstitut, Denmark.
Abstract:
Among 3394 patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia from the years 1986-89, 88 patients were found whose intravenous catheter and blood grew organisms of the same phage type. Strains of phage type 95 were more frequent among the patients with confirmed catheter-related bacteraemia than among other bacteraemia cases. Strains with particular phage-type patterns occurring with increasing frequency in Denmark during recent years also occurred with significantly higher frequencies among the confirmed catheter-related bacteraemias. No major differences in antibiotic resistance were observed. Patients with catheter-related bacteraemia had, in spite of a higher frequency of underlying diseases, a lower mortality compared with other bacteraemia patients, and endocarditis occurred less frequently (2% vs. 6%). Among 201 S. aureus isolates from catheters in 1988 only strains of group I occurred with increased frequency. The possible role of catheters as selection pressure on the S. aureus population is discussed.
Insights
Intravenous catheters may promote specific Staphylococcus aureus strains, leading to catheter-related infections. However, these infections showed lower mortality and endocarditis rates compared to other Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia cases.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia is a significant clinical concern.
- Intravenous catheters are common sources of healthcare-associated infections.
- Understanding the specific strains involved in catheter-related bacteraemia is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phage types of Staphylococcus aureus in patients with bacteraemia.
- To determine if specific phage types are associated with catheter-related bacteraemia.
- To compare clinical outcomes and antibiotic resistance between catheter-related and other Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 3394 patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (1986-1989).
- Phage typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from blood and intravenous catheters.
- Comparison of epidemiological data, clinical outcomes, and antibiotic resistance patterns.
Main Results:
- 88 patients had matching phage types in blood and catheter isolates, confirming catheter-related bacteraemia.
- Phage type 95 and specific increasing frequency phage types in Denmark were significantly more common in catheter-related bacteraemia.
- Catheter-related bacteraemia patients exhibited lower mortality and less frequent endocarditis despite more underlying diseases.
Conclusions:
- Certain Staphylococcus aureus phage types are disproportionately associated with catheter-related bacteraemia.
- Intravenous catheters may exert selection pressure favoring specific Staphylococcus aureus strains.
- Catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia has a better prognosis than other forms.
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