Long term mortality following Pseudomonas aeruginosa blood stream infection

• Published in: The Journal of hospital infection 2016
• Main Authors: McCarthy, K.L., Dr, Paterson, D.L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Infectious Disease
• ISSN: 0195-6701
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2016.11.014

Abstract Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections (BSI) are associated with substantial short term mortality. There are few data on long term mortality in this infection. Aim The aim of this study was to describe mortality rates out to one year post infection and the significant factors associated with death. Methods Positive blood cultures for P. aeruginosa were identified from January 2008 to January 2011 at 7 tertiary care hospitals. Extensive epidemiological, clinical and outcome data were obtained. Findings Three hundred and eighty eight BSI episodes were included in the analysis. The majority of infection was hospital-acquired. The most common patient co-morbidities were haematological or oncological. Seventy eight percent of the cohort had received a medical device in the preceding 7 days. Sixty one percent of the cohort received adequate empirical therapy. All-cause mortality was 4% at 48 hours, 19% at one month and 38% at one year. Forty-eight hour mortality was associated with a non-hospital acquired infection, a pulmonary co-morbidity, corticosteroid therapy in the proceeding 30 days and a Pitt bacteremia score of greater than 2. Co-morbidities became significantly associated with mortality from 7 days post infection. Long-term mortality (defined as 1 year mortality) was associated with female sex, a haematological or oncological comorbidity, a chronic co-morbidity index of greater than 2 and recent corticosteroid therapy. Conclusion The exact role of infection from a highly virulent pathogen, in the cause of death overtime needs to be studied further. It is not clear if we are dying from or with this infection.