Navigating the Challenges in Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection: A Practical Guide to Management

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) continues to challenge clinicians with its' diverse clinical presentations, risk of complications, and high mortality rate. While foundational principles of management, such as adequate source control and appropriate antibiotic treatment, remain unchanged, the landscape is evolving for both diagnostic and treatment strategies. This review explores emerging evidence; outlines current best practice in diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment; and highlights ongoing controversies and limitations of traditional management paradigms. Given the marked clinical heterogeneity of SAB, advancing toward a personalized medicine approach that tailors management to patient and pathogen characteristics is an important goal for the field.

Keywords: Bacteremia; Diagnosis work-up; MRSA; MSSA; PSSA; Staphylococcus aureus; Treatment strategies.