106: StAR: Staph aureus bacteremia

In this episode of Febrile, a culture podcast about infectious diseases, host Sarah Dong interviews infectious disease physicians Dr. Daniel Minter and Dr. Sarah Doernberg about Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. They discuss controversies in clinical practice, including the use of echocardiograms, follow-up blood cultures, molecular testing, and other imaging techniques. The conversation shifts to treatment decisions, covering appropriate antibiotic choices, combination therapies, and the management of comorbid substance use disorders. They also touch on the nuances of choosing between anti-staph penicillins and cefazolin for MSSA infections, and the potential of newer agents like ceftaroline and dalbovansin. The episode concludes with a discussion of ongoing research and upcoming trials in the field, emphasizing the need for more strategy trials to inform clinical practice.