Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of studies investigating the population-based epidemiology of Morganella-Proteus-Providencia (MPP) group infections. Our objective was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of MPP group bloodstream infections (BSI), and explore species-specific differences. METHODS: Population-based surveillance was conducted in the western interior of British Columbia, Canada, between April 1, 2010 and March 30, 2020. RESULTS: Sixty-two incident MPP group BSI occurred for an annual incidence of 3.4 per 100,000 residents; rates for Morganella morganii, Proteus mirabilis, and Providencia species were 0.5, 2.6, and 0.3 per 100,000 population, respectively. The median year of age was 72.5 and was different (p = 0.03) among the groups. Most (92%) MPP group BSIs were of community-onset. Significant differences were observed in the distribution of clinical focus of infection, with most notably 81% of P. mirabilis BSI due to genitourinary focus as compared to 60% and 22% for Providencia species and M. morganii, respectively. Comorbid illnesses that increased the risk for development of MPP group BSI (incidence rate ratio; 95% CI) were HIV infection (37.0; 4.4-139.6), dementia (11.5; 6.1-20.7), cancer (6.4; 3.2-11.9), stroke 6.5 (2.8-13.3), and diabetes 2.7 (1.3-5.0). Thirteen, one, and none of the cases with P. mirabilis, M. morganii, and Providencia species BSI died within 30 days of index culture for respective all cause case-fatalities of 27%, 11%, and 0% (p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Although collectively responsible for a substantial burden of illness, the epidemiology of MPP group BSI varies significantly by species.