%0 Journal Article
%T Validation of a new risk stratification system-based management for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: analysis of a multicentre prospective study.
%A Kim T
%A Lee SR
%A Park SY
%A Moon SM
%A Jung J
%A Kim MJ
%A Sung H
%A Kim MN
%A Kim SH
%A Choi SH
%A Lee SO
%A Kim YS
%A Song EH
%A Chong YP
%J Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis
%V 43
%N 5
%D 2024 May 27
%M 38411778
%F 5.103
%R 10.1007/s10096-024-04790-2
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Distinguishing between complicated and uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) is therapeutically essential. However, this distinction has limitations in reflecting the heterogeneity of SAB and encouraging targeted diagnostics. Recently, a new risk stratification system for SAB metastatic infection, involving stepwise approaches to diagnosis and treatment, has been suggested. We assessed its applicability in methicillin-resistant SAB (MRSAB) patients.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We retrospectively analysed data of a 3-year multicentre, prospective cohort of hospitalised patients with MRSAB. We classified the patients into three risk groups: low, indeterminate, and high, based on the new system and compared between-group management and outcomes.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Of 380 patients with MRSAB, 6.3% were classified as low-, 7.6% as indeterminate-, and 86.1% as high-risk for metastatic infection. No metastatic infection occurred in the low-, 6.9% in the indeterminate-, and 19.6% in the high-risk groups (P < 0.001). After an in-depth diagnostic work-up, patients were finally diagnosed as 'without metastatic infection (6.3%)', 'with metastatic infection (17.4%)', and 'uncertain for metastatic infection (76.3%)'. 30-day mortality increased as the severity of diagnosis shifted from 'without metastatic infection' to 'uncertain for metastatic infection' and 'with metastatic infection' (P = 0.09). In multivariable analysis, independent factors associated with metastatic complications were suspicion of endocarditis in transthoracic echocardiography, clinical signs of metastatic infection, Pitt bacteraemia score ≥ 4, and persistent bacteraemia.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The new risk stratification system shows promise in predicting metastatic complications and guiding work-up and management of MRSAB. However, reducing the number of cases labelled as 'high-risk' and 'uncertain for metastatic infection' remains an area for improvement.