The Burden of Catheter-Associated Infection Due to Staphylococcus Aureus in Renal Patients at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital from December 2024 to July 2025

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the burden of Staphylococcus aureus as a catheter-associated infection among renal patients at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, Mutare, from December 2024 to July 2025. The increasing prevalence of catheter-related bloodstream infections poses significant challenges to renal care particularly in resource-limited settings. Despite this, limited data exist regarding the specific contribution of S. aureus to these infections in the local context. The study employed a cross-sectional design involving 175 catheterized renal patients across inpatient wards, intensive care units and outpatient clinics. Data collection involved clinical assessments, microbiological sampling and laboratory analysis. Blood and catheter tip samples were cultured to identify S. aureus and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. S. aureus was identified as the predominant pathogen, accounting for 34.3% of all isolates. Analysis revealed that prolonged catheter use (>14 days) was the most significant predictor of infection, followed by underlying comorbidities including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Antimicrobial profiling indicated a critical level of resistance, with 70% of isolates resistant to oxacillin and 60% to tetracycline, while vancomycin retained high efficacy (90% susceptibility). Clinical outcomes were notably poor for infected patients, characterized by significantly elevated odds of sepsis and mortality. The findings emphasize that prolonged catheterization, underlying health conditions and demographic factors significantly influence infection risk. This study highlights the urgent need for stringent infection prevention strategies, regular microbiological surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship programs tailored to resource limited settings. Addressing these issues could reduce the burden of S. aureus associated catheter infections, improve patient outcomes and optimize resource utilization in renal care facilities. Till date, no study has been done on the burden of catheter associated infection due to Staphylococcus aureus in renal patients at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.