February 7, 2023 – Black and Hispanic dialysis patients usually tend to have staph bloodstream infections than whites, with Hispanic patients having a 40% higher risk of staph bloodstream infections, in accordance with a report by the CDC said.
In general, the probability of staphylococcal infection was 100 times higher in dialysis patients than in the final population.
Blacks and Hispanics have the next risk of kidney failure and represent a disproportionate share of dialysis patients in comparison with the population.
Staph infections may be attributable to the bacteria entering the patient's bloodstream. This can occur when needles or catheters are contaminated. Staph infections are serious and sometimes fatal.
Infections generally would be the second leading reason for death amongst dialysis patients, Dr. Shannon Novosad, head of the CDC's dialysis safety team, told reporters.
According to the CDC, greater than 800,000 people within the country suffer from kidney failure and 70% of them depend upon dialysis.
People with dark skin are at higher risk of kidney failure. Black persons are 4 times more more likely to suffer from kidney failure and Hispanics are twice as likely. Together, they make up half of all dialysis patients.
“Preventing staph bloodstream infections begins with identifying chronic kidney disease in its early stages to prevent or delay the need for dialysis,” said CDC Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, MD. “Healthcare providers can promote preventive measures, including methods to manage diabetes and high blood pressure, and educate all patients, especially those most at risk, about treatment options to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.”