Staphylococcus aureus infections in children with congenital heart disease

Abstract

Background. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common risk factor for infective endocarditis (IE) in children. Staphylococcus aureus is among the most common organisms to cause IE, yet there are little data describing the risk factors for invasive S aureus disease in children with CHD.We examined the epidemiology of S aureus infections in children with CHD. Methods. Patients with a history of CHD and S aureus infection were identified from a surveillance study of S aureus infections at Texas Children's Hospital. Clinical and laboratory data from medical records were reviewed. All isolates were screened for the presence of the antiseptic tolerance gene qacA/B. Dichotomous variables were compared with Fisher's exact test and continuous variables with Mann-Whitney U tests, and two-tailed P values of 10 mg/dL may serve as diagnostic adjuncts for IE. qacA/B-positive isolates are associated with adverse clinical outcomes.