Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections
Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection is one of the most serious bacterial infections worldwide. In the United States, there are ~120,000 episodes per year with ~20,000 deaths. In Australia, it is estimated that approximately 5,000 infections occur per year (~10-20/100,000 population) with all patients being hospitalised and requiring a minimum of two weeks intravenous antibiotics.
Despite the availability of therapy, mortality associated with S. aureus bloodstream infections remains high and is estimated to be between 15-20% (i.e. 20% of patients with S. aureus bloodstream infections will be dead within 30 days after becoming infected). To put this into context, after a diagnosis of breast cancer, the average 5 year mortality is 10%.
Optimal management of S. aureus bloodstream infections is uncertain with few published studies that compare current available treatments, and combinations of treatments. Fewer than 3,000 participants combined have ever been enrolled in published randomised controlled trials for S. aureus bloodstream infection treatment.