Journal of Infectious Diseases & Therapy
Open Access

Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in a Tertiary Center in Saudi Arabia

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Abstract
Introduction: S.aureus and methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) prevalence are globally increasing. Saudi
Arabia is one of the countries that reported a high prevalence of S.aureus and (MRSA). However, there is scarce
information on the prevalence of S.aureus and (MRSA) in Jazan province. In this study, we aimed to report the
S.aureus and (MRSA) prevalence in bacteremia patients between July and December 2019.
Materials and methods: A retrospective study that investigated all positive blood cultures for S.aureus between
July and December 2020. Data were analyzed using t-test and chi-square test.
Results: 5561 samples from patients with bacteremia were received at the laboratory of Microbiology with a 20%
positive rate. 3% of these samples were positive for S.aureus. 49% of these populations were men. The median age
was 26 (SD: 27). 43% of these samples were hospital-acquired infections. 68% of S.aureus infections were MRSA.
About 50% of these infections were recorded in July and August. MRSA and MSSA strains were significantly different
(68% vs. 32%. p<0.0001). Patients with MRSA were significantly younger, and these strains were significantly acquired
at the hospital.
Conclusion: The prevalence of S.aureus and MRSA is high in Jazan. Most of these strains were acquired in the
hospital. A finding that may alert the local health officials to increase the efforts for better controlling these infections.

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