Clinical and haematological predictors of acute hematogenous Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) osteomyelitis & septic arthritis

IntroductionIn the present study, we observed differences in the clinical and haematological parameters in patients of MRSA and non MRSA acute osteoarticular infection.MethodologyFor the patients of acute haematogenous osteomyelitis/septic arthritis, clinical features, haematological parameters and blood & aspirate cultures were recorded.ResultsOf 81 patients enrolled in the study, 61 were culture positive (22% MRSA). Statistically significant difference was found only in CRP (P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis shows that CRP levels of >13.9 mg/L, MRSA bone and joint infection could be predicted with 92.9% sensitivity and 79.1% specificity (AUC = 89.1).ConclusionEstimation of serum CRP levels at the time of presentation can aid in distinguishing MRSA osteomyelitis from non MRSA one.