555. The Burden of Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus Disease Among Native Americans on the Navajo Nation

Abstract

Background

Native Americans in the southwestern United States (US) may be at higher risk for invasive infections due to Staphylococcus aureus. The objective of this study was to determine the burden of invasive S. aureus among Native Americans on the Navajo Nation.

Methods

Prospective population and laboratory-based surveillance for invasive S. aureus infections was conducted from May 2016 through April 2018. A case was defined as a Native American individual living on or around the Navajo Nation with S. aureus isolated from a normally sterile body site. Incidence rates were calculated using the Indian Health Service User Population from 2016 and 2017 as the denominators for Years 1 and 2, respectively. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated using US Census data from 2015 as the reference group.

Results

363 cases were identified (Year 1: 159; Year 2: 204). Most cases were adults (96.9%; median age: 56.0 years) and had ≥1 underlying medical condition (94.5%), of which the most common were diabetes (63.2%), hypertension (39.1%), and obesity (37.2%). 38.0% of cases were categorized as community acquired and 28.7% of infections were methicillin-resistant (MRSA). 83.2% of cases were hospitalized, 10.7% required amputation, and 6.5% died within 30 days of the initial culture. The overall incidence of invasive S. aureus was 74.4 per 100,000 persons (95% confidence interval [CI]: 67.1, 82.4) with a significantly higher incidence in the second year (Year 1: 64.9; Year 2: 84.0; incidence rate ratio: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.59). The overall incidence of invasive MRSA was 21.3 per 100,000 persons (95% CI: 17.6, 25.8) with no significant difference by year (Year 1: 21.2; Year 2: 21.4; incidence rate ratio: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.69, 1.48). The incidence of invasive S. aureus and MRSA increased with age and was highest among individuals ≥65 years of age. The overall age-standardized incidence of invasive MRSA was 25.9 per 100,000 persons (Year 1: 26.0; Year 2: 25.7; for comparison US 2015 general population: 18.8 per 100,000 persons).

Conclusion

The Navajo Nation has a higher burden of invasive MRSA than the general US population. Further research is needed to evaluate trends over time and identify prevention strategies and opportunities for intervention.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.