Study reveals staph infection risk

A study by a Michigan State University physician finds that people undergoing dialysis, as well as those with HIV and others with compromised immune systems, are much more susceptible to deadly staph infections than the general population.

The epidemiological study of more than 250 people with invasive Staphylococcus aureus (ISA) infections was conducted by H. Dele Davies, chairperson of MSU's Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, and several colleagues, and is published in the April 15 online version of the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

For the first time, the study was able to accurately identify and quantify who exactly is at risk for the infection, which is believed to kill thousands of people every year.

"Before, we had an idea that certain people were at risk, but this is the first time we can quantify specifically who is at risk of ISA," said Davies. "We are now able to target these people for therapy or prevention.

"Prevention is key, of course, but so is recognition by physicians – knowing who is at risk and how to handle these patients."

According to the study, people who are undergoing hemodialysis are 257 times more likely to contract ISA than the general population. Others at an increased risk include patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, those with HIV, solid organ transplant recipients, and heart disease and cancer patients.

The study also found that elderly patients, as well as those with hypotension, renal failure, diabetes mellitus and lung problems, were more likely to die from ISA.

ISA infections are extremely common. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 2 million hospital patients in the United States contract an infection every year.

Sometimes the results can be so minor that the patient doesn't know he or she is sick. Other times they can be deadly.

"It is a very common occurrence for a hospital patient to pick up an ISA infection," Davies said. "In many places, resistance to antibiotics has also become a major problem."

A vaccine for ISA is now being tested, Davies said.

"And that is where this study can prove to be valuable," he said. "Rather than giving it to the entire population, we can now identify who is at risk and who should get the vaccine."

Patients in the study were based in Calgary, Canada. The study was conducted in conjunction with the Calgary Health Region.

For a copy of the study, please contact Tom Oswald, MSU University Relations, (517) 355-2281.

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