Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Staphylococcal Bacteremia in Bahrain

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is a significant health problem with high morbidity & mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of SAB in Bahrain along with withs clinical characteristics and outcomes. Methods: This study was conducted at Salmaniya medical complex (SMC) microbiology laboratory including all patients with SAB for one year period (2019). Demographic, lab data & outcomes were obtained from the electronic record system of patients. Results: A total of 164 episodes of SAB were identified during the study period. About 137 were encountered among inpatients, while 27 cases among outpatients attending hemodialysis unit. Bahraini nationality & male gender were predominant (141, 85.98% & 108, 65.85% respectively). Nosocomial SAB accounts for only 29.37%, while the majority of SAB cases were of community-onset (116, 70.37%), but among such community-onset cases; 83 (50.61% of total) were of health care-associated category (56 had prior hospitalization and 27 were on regular dialysis). Among all patients with SAB, diabetes was the commonest risk factor encountered, followed by dialysis dependence and sickle cell diseases (SCD). Mortality rate was 25.6% (42 patients). Among the 122 survivors of the initial SAB episode, recurrence of bacteremia was documented among 26 cases (21.3%). Conclusion: SAB was a significant health problem among the Bahraini. Diabetes Mellitus, SCD and dialysis dependence were found to be important risk factors. Recurrence of bacteremia was a common complication among the patient’s dependant on hemodialysis Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteremia, Nosocomial, Community onset, Hemodialysis