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

INTRODUCTION: In the present study, we observed differences in the clinical and haematological parameters in patients of MRSA and non MRSA acute osteoarticular infection.

METHODOLOGY: For the patients of acute haematogenous osteomyelitis/septic arthritis, clinical features, haematological parameters and blood & aspirate cultures were recorded.

RESULTS: Of 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).

CONCLUSION: Estimation of serum CRP levels at the time of presentation can aid in distinguishing MRSA osteomyelitis from non MRSA one.