Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Mortality

STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus bacteremia mortality rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among hospital-onset cases with recent infection.

A population-based analysis of 20 U.S. counties found that 30-day mortality increased substantially in several bacteremia groups from 2019 through 2021. Recent SARS-CoV-2 infection was also independently associated with a markedly higher hazard of death.

Researchers analyzed active laboratory and population surveillance data collected across seven states between 2005 and 2022. The analysis included adults with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) bacteremia.

Cases were classified as hospital-onset, healthcare-associated community-onset, or community-associated. Medical records were linked with state vital statistics to identify deaths within 30 days of the incident culture.

Overall, mortality among people with S. aureus bacteremia was 21%. Annual mortality rates were generally stable before the pandemic but increased considerably in selected groups between 2019 and 2021.