Septic shock as a predictor of mortality in bacteremia caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci

Fifty episodes of bacteremia caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci at Hacettepe University Hospital over a five-year period were reviewed to evaluate the factors influencing the prognosis. Overall mortality and mortality due to bacteremia were 36% and 24%, respectively. Septic shock was determined to be the only factor adversely influencing mortality in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Age, sex, duration of hospitalization, origin of infection, underlying disease, presence of central intravascular or urinary catheters, and prior antibiotic therapy were not statistically significant parameters in predicting septic shock.