Evaluation and management of Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria: an updated review

Background and aims

There is little guidance regarding the evaluation and management of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria (SABU). Here, we aimed to provide an up-to-date review of the literature.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Scopus, and clinical trial registries for articles evaluating the epidemiology of SABU, risk factors of SABU, the association of SABU with urinary tract infection, bacteremia and invasive S. aureus infections, and the management of patients with SABU.

Results

S. aureus is an uncommon isolate in urine cultures. It is more common among certain patients, e.g., patients with indwelling urinary tract devices or prior urinary tract instrumentation. SABU may represent asymptomatic bacteriuria, primary urinary tract infection, or hematogenous seeding of the urinary tract associated with other foci of infection. SABU may also serve as the focus for subsequent bacteremia and invasive infections. We did not find any clinical trials regarding the management of patients with SABU.

Conclusions

Based on our review, we suggest an algorithmic approach for the evaluation and management of patients with SABU. However, evidence from clinical trials is lacking and there are severalgaps in the current literature. These are discussed in this review.