Predictors of Mortality of Streptococcal Bacteremia and the Role of Infectious Diseases Consultation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Streptococcal bacteremia is associated with high mortality. Thia study aims to identify predictors of mortality among patients with streptococcal bacteremia. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, and included episodes of streptococcal bacteremia among adult patients from 2015 to 2023. RESULTS: During the study period, 861 episodes of streptococcal bacteremia were included. The majority of episodes were categorized in the Mitis group (348 episodes; 40%), followed by the Pyogenic group (215; 25%). Endocarditis was the most common source of bacteremia (164; 19%). The overall 14-day mortality rate was 8% (65 episodes). The results from the Cox multivariable regression model showed that a Charlson comorbidity index >4 (P .001; hazard ratio [HR], 2.87; confidence interval [CI] 1.58-5.22), Streptococcus pyogenes (P = .011; HR, 2.54;CI 1.24-5.21), sepsis (P < .001; HR, 7.48; CI 3.86-14.47), lower respiratory tract infection (P = .002; HR, 2.62; CI 1.42-4.81), and absence of source control interventions within 48 hours despite being warranted (P = .002; HR, 2.62; CI 1.43-4.80) were associated with 14-day mortality. Conversely, interventions performed within 48 hours of bacteremia onset, such as infectious diseases consultation (P < .001; HR, 0.29; CI .17-.48) and appropriate antimicrobial treatment (P < .001; HR, .28; CI .14-.57), were associated with improved outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the pivotal role of infectious diseases consultation in guiding antimicrobial treatment and recommending source control interventions for patients with streptococcal bacteremia.