Minejima et al reported the impact of the duration of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia on the patient's prognosis. A delay in source control is associated with prolonged bacteremia and worse outcomes. The authors are from University of Southern California and Huntington Hospital (Pasadena) in California.
Duration of bacteremia: number of days between the first and last positive blood culture for Staphylococcus aureus
Clinical evidence of resolution:
(1) normalization of vital signs
(2) normalization of the white blood cell count
(3) subjective well-being
Outcome: mortality within 30 days of first blood culture
Predictors of 30-day mortality:
(1) duration of bacteremia >= 3 days
(2) higher Pitt bacteremia score (Patterson et al; from 0 to 14; adjusted OR 1.48)
relative risk for 30-day mortality =
= 1.16 ^ (number of days with bacteremia)
A primary goal for a patient with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is clearance of the blood as soon as possible.
