Virulence of Staphylococcus Infection in Surgically Treated Patients With Endocarditis: A Multicenter Analysis

Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Staphylococcus species (spp.) is believed to be associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates. We hypothesize that Staphylococcus spp. are more virulent compared with other commonly causative bacteria of IE with regard to short-term and long-term mortality. It remains unclear if patients suffering from IE due to Staphylococcus spp. should be referred for surgical treatment earlier than other IE patients to avoid septic embolism and to optimize perioperative outcomes. The database of the CAMPAIGN registry, comprising 4917 consecutive patients undergoing heart valve surgery, was retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups with regard to the identified microorganisms: Staphylococcus group and the non- Staphylococcus group. The non- Staphylococcus group was subdivided for further analyses: Streptococcus group, Enterococcus group, and all other bacteria groups. The respective mortality rates at 30 days (18.7% vs 11.8%; P