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Background: Infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death at Alice Springs Hospital (ASH) and Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) is the second most common bloodstream infection. Non-multidrug-resistant, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (nmMRSA) is endemic to the region. Aims: To determine whether differences exist between racial groups and resistance phenotypes in the clinical manifestations and outcomes of SAB at ASH. Methods: A retrospective review of medical and pathology records for inpatients with SAB between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2006. Results: A total of 125 patients (indigenous, 111; non-indigenous, 14) presented with SAB during the study period. Among indigenous patients, there were 95 adults and 16 children. No non-indigenous child was admitted with SAB. The mean annual incidence rate was 160.7/100 000 indigenous population and 8.1/100 000 non-indigenous population (incidence rate ratio 19.9) ( P = 0.010). Isolates were predominantly methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (indigenous, 85; non-indigenous, 13). Twenty of 27 MRSA isolates were non-multidrug-resistant. Indigenous adults were more likely to present with an infective focus (indigenous, 75; non-indigenous, 6) ( P = 0.004). These were most often skin infections (skin abscesses, 31; scabies, 4). Twenty-seven indigenous adults self-discharged after receiving a median of only 5 days (inter-quartile range (IQR), 3-9) of antibiotic therapy. Ninety-day mortality rates for indigenous and non-indigenous adults were 14.7% and 14.3% respectively. The median age of death for indigenous adults was 50 years (IQR, 37-68). Conclusions: Indigenous Australians have the highest reported incidence rate of SAB worldwide. This reflects the socioeconomic disadvantage experienced by indigenous Australians whose living conditions predispose to pathogen transmission and limits opportunities to maintain adequate skin hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Strongyloides stercoralis may cause a complicated infection in immunocompromised patients, which has a high case fatality rate. Death generally results from sepsis with enteric pathogens. Globally, infection with the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a major risk factor for this syndrome. Both S. stercoralis and HTLV-1 are endemic to Central Australia. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine whether complicated strongyloidiasis occurs in association with HTLV-1 infection in Central Australia. Methods: A retrospective audit of all cases of complicated strongyloidiasis presenting to Alice Springs Hospital between January 2000 and December 2006 was carried out. Diagnosis was defined as definite or probable according to whether diagnosis was made by faecal studies or serology respectively. The medical records, investigations and outcomes of patients who met predetermined criteria for a diagnosis of complicated strongyloidiasis were reviewed. Results: Eighteen indigenous patients met the criteria for complicated strongyloidiasis (definite 9, probable 9). Seven of 11 patients tested were HTLV-1 seropositive. At diagnosis, no treatment was documented for nine patients (definite 4, probable 5), three received a single dose of ivermectin and one a single dose of albendazole. Fifteen patients (83%) died because of sepsis (definite 7, probable 8). Pathogens isolated and their foci of infection included Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia (4), bloodstream infection with Enterococcus spp. (2), K. pneumoniae peritonitis (1) and streptococcal meningitis (1). Conclusion: Complicated strongyloidiasis occurs in association with HTLV-1 infection in central Australia. This finding has significant implications for the management of S. stercoralis in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]