Researchers from Denmark and Spain analysed data on 2,638 patients diagnosed with bacteraemia caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The study authors extracted data from population-based medical registers in Denmark from 2000 and 2011. 

When they assessed deaths within the first 30 days, they found that 29% of the women died compared to 22% of the men. Women therefore are 1.3 times more likely to die within a month of developing Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.30 [95% CI; 1.11-1.53]).

The findings were published in the June issue of the journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 

“It is worth noting that the link between gender and fatality was seen across all age groups and the greatest risk of death appeared to be in women who were diabetic or who had a diagnosis of chronic pulmonary disease or cancer,” comments Dr. Jesper Smit from the Aalborg University Hospital, one of the study’s authors.

The researchers found no link between gender and two common complications of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: infective endocarditis and osteomyelitis. 

“Although we now know that women in this situation are at a higher risk of death compared to men, we do not yet understand why,” says Smit. “Further studies are needed to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms but the information we have generated should aid clinical decision making by helping to define which patients are most vulnerable,” he adds.

The authors recommend that gender should be considered in the triage and risk stratification of patients with community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection is the official journal of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID). 

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Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium that a third of us carry around with no ill effects. It can cause minor illnesses such as food poisoning, boils and impetigo, and more serious skin and wound infections that do not progress to bacteraemia (when bacteria are found in the blood). 

More invasive infections are rare in healthy people, but do tend to develop in patients who are in poor health due to other illnesses that weaken the body and the immune system. Instead of causing a minor infection, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause a generalised infection throughout the body that requires prompt treatment and sometimes hospital care.

The primary underlying conditions associated with Staph aureus bacteraemia are chronic heart failure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic pulmonary disease, and cancer. Cancer patients who undergo rounds of chemotherapy are at particular risk due to the impact the treatment has on their immune system.

Infection with Staph aureus in such patients often spreads from a local infection at the site of a catheter, prosthetic device, central line or from within a surgical or traumatic wound. 

ESCMID is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in Europe and beyond. The Society promotes and supports research, education and training and shares good medical practice in the infection disciplines to build capacity throughout the world. www.escmid.org