Risk factors and diagnostic markers of bacteremia in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: A cohort study of 176 patients

Background: Sepsis is the main cause of death in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Objectives: Our aim was to identify admission risk factors predictive of bacteremia and the accompanying clinical or biochemical markers associated with positive blood cultures. Methods: A retrospective cohort study over a 14-year period (2003-2016) was performed. Results: The study included 176 patients with SJS (n = 59), SJS-TEN overlap (n = 51), and TEN (n = 66). During hospitalization, bacteremia developed in 52 patients (29.5%), who experienced poorer outcomes, including higher intensive care unit admission (P < .0005), longer length of stay (P < .0005), and higher mortality (P < .0005). There were 112 episodes of bacteremia, and isolates included Acinetobacter baumannii (27.7%, n = 31) and Staphylococcus aureus (21.4%, n = 24). On multivariate analysis, clinical factors present at admission that were predictive of bacteremia included hemoglobin <= 10 g/dL (odds ratio [OR] 2.4, confidence interval [CI] 2.2-2.6), existing cardiovascular disease (OR 2.10, CI 2.0-2.3), and body surface area involvement >= 10% (OR 14.3, CI 13.4-15.2). The Bacteremia Risk Score was constructed with good calibration. Hypothermia (P = .03) and procalcitonin >= 1 mu g/L (P = .02) concurrent with blood culture sampling were predictive of blood culture positivity. Limitations: This is a retrospective study performed in a reference center. Conclusion: Hemoglobin <= 10 g/dL, cardiovascular disease, and body surface area involvement >= 10% on admission were risk factors for bacteremia. Hypothermia and elevated procalcitonin are useful markers for the timely detection of bacteremia.