Staphylococcus aureusbacteremia at a referral medical center in Kenya: A retrospective review of cases from 2010 to 2018

Background Many studies have shown thatStaphylococcus aureusis a leading cause of both community onset and hospital onset bloodstream infections. However, relatively little is known about the occurrence and outcome ofS. aureusbacteremia in sub-Saharan Africa. A previous report indicated thatS. aureusaccounts for 16% of community onset and 6% of hospital onset bloodstream infections at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi (AKUHN). Data about the etiology ofS. aureusbacteremia in sub-Saharan Africa will help optimize recognition and treatment. This study was performed in order to understand the etiologies and risk factors forS.aureusbacteremia in a sub-Saharan location. Materials and methods A review of the electronic record of laboratory results from September 2010 through December 2018 identified 201 patients seen at AKUHN withS. aureusbacteremia. The source and/or focus of infection was identified and in-hospital mortality was determined. Cases with bacteremia after three days of hospitalization were considered hospital acquired. Community onset cases were divided into community acquired and health care associated. Results Most cases (71%; 143/201) were community onset, but only 41% (83/201) of these cases were community acquired. The most commonly identified foci of infection for community acquired bacteremia were musculoskeletal (25%; 21/83) and skin and soft tissue (24%; 20/83). The majority of health care associated (70%; 40/57) and hospital acquired cases (74%; 43/58) were associated with invasive vascular devices, with peripheral IVs being the most common for hospital acquired and dialysis catheters being the most common for health care associated infections. In-hospital mortality rates were 23% (19/83) for community acquired, 19% (11/57) for health care associated and 33% (19/58) for hospital acquired infections. Conclusion Invasive vascular devices were associated with a substantial portion of cases ofS.aureusbacteremia and provide an important target for infection control efforts.