The risk of death from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia increased significantly with age, nursing home residence, and organ impairment, according to a retrospective review of 699 episodes of MRSA.
Severe bacteremia also predicted an increased mortality risk, but the MRSA strain was not predictive. Consultation with an infectious disease specialist was associated with a significantly lower mortality risk.
The review also raised questions about the approach to heteroresistant vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) strains -- apparently susceptible strains of MRSA that harbor subpopulations of vancomycin-resistant colonies -- as reported in the July issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
"The consequences of MRSA bacteremia are clear -- many patients will die or experience a decline from their baseline clinical condition," Mina Pastagia, MD, of Rockefeller University in New York City, and co-authors wrote of their findings. "The adjusted risk difference enables clinicians to use a targeted approach, directed toward patients with the highest risk of death ...
Severe bacteremia also predicted an increased mortality risk, but the MRSA strain was not predictive. Consultation with an infectious disease specialist was associated with a significantly lower mortality risk.
The review also raised questions about the approach to heteroresistant vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) strains -- apparently susceptible strains of MRSA that harbor subpopulations of vancomycin-resistant colonies -- as reported in the July issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
"The consequences of MRSA bacteremia are clear -- many patients will die or experience a decline from their baseline clinical condition," Mina Pastagia, MD, of Rockefeller University in New York City, and co-authors wrote of their findings. "The adjusted risk difference enables clinicians to use a targeted approach, directed toward patients with the highest risk of death ...
