Bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus in patients admitted to King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Currently, there is a limited amount of published data on the incidence of bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in most parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Thus, it is extremely important to have information concerning the distribution and prevalence of MRSA and MSSA to better handle and manage future epidemics.  This study aimed to investigate the correlation between MRSA and/or MSSA with BSI at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Patients and methods: This investigation took place at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for four years. During this period, we meticulously collected and documented clinical data on blood cultures that tested positive for MRSA or MSSA.

Results: BSI caused by S. aureus bacteria was found in 461 individuals; 232 (50.3%) of these patients had MSSA, and 229 (49.7%) had MRSA. The data showed that patients with diabetes, renal, and heart disease were most at risk of contracting S. aureus associated with BSI (at 46%, 37%, and 23%, respectively). Hospital-acquired (HA) MRSA was associated with higher rates of BSI compared to HA-MSSA. Device and procedure-related infections were mostly associated with HA-BSI, whereas superficial skin and soft-tissue infections were more commonly connected to community-acquired BSI (CA-BSI).

Conclusions: Such information will probably lead to a reduction in hospital-acquired infections and will improve hospital infection-preventative procedures. Based on the data obtained, diabetic patients are most at risk of contracting S. aureus BSI.  To prevent the spread of MRSA infection among healthcare centers, patients with MRSA must undergo MRSA screening tests, appropriate therapeutic follow-up, and contact precautions. Moreover, appropriate therapeutic management of diabetes may protect the patients from getting infected with S. aureus.