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Analysis of risk factors for bacteremia in children with nontyphoidal Salmonella gastroenteritis.

To identify the risk factors for Salmonella bacteremia in infants and children with Salmonella gastroenteritis, a retrospective study of a 10-year period was conducted to evaluate 456 infants and children with culture-proven nontyphoidal Salmonella infection. Salmonella typhimurium was the most common isolate found. Among the 257 patients with gastroenteritis who had a concomitant blood culture performed, 50 exhibited bacteremia. Statistically significant differences were noted between patients with gastroenteritis and bacteremia and those without bacteremia in duration of fever > or = 5 days ( P < 0.001; OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.6 - 12.1) and infection with group D1 Salmonella ( P < 0.001; OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 2.5 - 16.9) after adjustment for multivariate analysis. Of the 320 Salmonella strains that were serotyped, Salmonella panama was shown to be strongly associated with bacteremia ( P<0.001) in children with gastroenteritis. In summary, in children with nontyphoidal Salmonella gastroenteritis, prolonged fever lasting 5 days or more and infection with a specific Salmonella serotype were risk factors closely associated with development of bacteremia.

Adolescent↗

Retrospective analysis of clinical and microbiological aspects of Klebsiella oxytoca bacteremia over a 10-year period.

From 1991 to 2000, 125 sporadic cases of Klebsiella oxytoca bacteremia were analyzed retrospectively to review clinical features and to identify the risk factors associated with resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and fatal outcome. Bacteremia was acquired nosocomially in 52% of the patients. Almost all patients (97%) had an underlying disease, with biliary and pancreatic disease occurring most frequently (55%). The biliary tract was the most common site of infection (44%). Resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins was identified in 22 of the 125 (18%) Klebsiella oxytoca blood isolates and resistance to ciprofloxacin in 9 (7%). Only previous antibiotic therapy was strongly associated with resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in patients with Klebsiella oxytoca bacteremia ( P=0.009). The mortality rate was 24% and was higher in patients infected with isolates resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (41% vs. 20%; P=0.04). In multivariate analysis, fatal outcome was independently associated with septic shock, deteriorated mental status, polymicrobial bacteremia, and solid tumor. Surgical therapy had a protective effect (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.005-0.7; P=0.03). In conclusion, Klebsiella oxytoca bacteremia was most commonly associated with biliary tract infection. Previous antibiotic therapy was strongly associated with resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in patients with Klebsiella oxytoca bacteremia.

Adolescent↗

Case-control study of risk factors for the development of enterococcal bacteremia.

To determine the risk factors involved in the development of enterococcal bacteremia, a prospective, observational, case-control study was carried out over 18 months. All episodes of enterococcal bacteremia with clinical significance detected in adults were included. A control matched by sex, age and hospitalization ward (medical, surgical or intensive care unit) was selected randomly for each patient with enterococcal bacteremia. Uni- and multivariate analyses of the epidemiological characteristics of both groups were performed. Etiologic fractions of every risk factor were also determined. One hundred twenty-two pairs were included. The severity of the chronic underlying diseases was similar in both groups. Neutropenia, cirrhosis, organ transplantation, intravascular catheter, urinary catheter, nasogastric tube, parenteral nutrition and previous administration of cephalosporins and imipenem were the factors associated with enterococcal bacteremia in the univariate analysis. The factors independently associated with enterococcal bacteremia in the multivariate analysis were neutropenia (odds ratio [OR] = 8), urinary catheter (OR = 3) and previous administration of cephalosporins (OR = 4) and imipenem (OR = 10). Their respective etiologic fractions were 9%, 44%, 11% and 29%. Efforts to reduce the occurrence of enterococcal bacteremia should be focused on appropriate use of cephalosporins, imipenem and external devices.

Adult↗

Resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and mortality in patients with Citrobacter freundii bacteremia.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to characterize the clinical features and to identify the risk factors for resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) and for mortality in patients with Citrobacter freundii bacteremia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 105 patients (aged > or = 15 years) with C. freundii bacteremia in 1991-2000 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Nosocomial acquisition was identified in 78.1% of the patients. Hepatic, biliary and pancreatic disease was the most common underlying disease (65.7%) and the biliary tract was the most common site of infection (50.5%). The overall resistance rate to ESCs was 59.0% and was significantly associated with hepatic, biliary and pancreatic disease, recent surgery and procedure, biliary drainage catheter and previous antibiotic therapy in univariate analysis. However, only previous antibiotic therapy with ESCs (OR = 5.0, 95% CI 1.6-15.7, p = 0.006) and recent surgery or procedure (OR = 3.1, 95% CI 1.1-8.4, p = 0.03) were strong, independent risk factors in multivariate analysis. Mortality directly related to C. freundii bacteremia was 21.9% and there was no difference between cases with resistance and susceptibility to ESCs (19.4% vs 25.6%; p = 0.45). Mortality was significantly associated with rapidly fatal or ultimately fatal underlying disease, a solid tumor, septic shock and polymicrobial bacteremia in univariate analysis. Among patients who had therapeutic surgical procedures, mortality was lower (4.5%, p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis revealed rapidly or ultimately fatal disease, septic shock and polymicrobial bacteremia as independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Biliary infection was the leading cause of C. freundii bacteremia. Previous antibiotic therapy, especially with ESCs, frequently predisposed for resistance to these antibiotics. However, resistance to ESCs was not associated with increased mortality.

Adolescent↗

Risk factors for septic shock in the early management of bacteremia.

PURPOSE: Aggressive treatment of bacteremia in patients at high risk of septic shock may prove to be beneficial and cost-effective since these patients account for 50% of the mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for septic shock in bacteremic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinical, biologic, and radiologic data from medical records of patients who experienced one episode of bacteremia between March 1 and December 31, 1990, at the University Hospital of Dijon, France. Statistical analysis was univariate and multivariate (logistic regression). RESULTS: During the survey, 331 patients experienced one episode of bacteremia. Bacteremia due to gram-negative species was more frequently found in surgical units. Septic shocks were equally attributed to gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The do-not-resuscitate order was associated with nearly half of the deaths secondary to underlying diseases or poor general condition. Neither hospital-acquired bacteremia nor underlying diseases were associated with a high risk of septic shock. Multivariate analysis showed the following to be risk factors for septic shock: male gender and age older than 75 years (odds ratio = 2.91), creatinine level greater than 20 mg/L (odds ratio = 4.52), prothrombin time less than 60% (odds ratio = 4.86), and presence of an interstitial pattern on the chest radiograph involving more than half of both lung fields (odds ratio = 4.1). Our logistic model with these selected parameters allowed an overall classification of 77% of the studied patients, with a positive predictive value of 55% and a negative predictive value of 89%. CONCLUSION: Our results provide a positive predictive value that is similar to that of the clinical scores of severity proposed by other authors in selected populations. Our classification, in conjunction with a clinical classification, would allow improvement in the prognosis of patients with bacteremia by early treatment of those at high risk for developing septic shock. Validation of these results with further studies involving a larger population that includes patients with suspected infections, as well as bacteremic patients, is needed.

Adolescent↗

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae bacteremia after biliary endoscopy: an outbreak investigation using DNA macrorestriction analysis.

PURPOSE: An outbreak of gram-negative bacteremia in patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was investigated to determine the sources of infection and to control transmission. PATIENTS, METHODS, AND RESULTS: The incidence of post-ERCP bacteremia increased from 1.6% (60 of 3,696) procedures to 3.6% (53 of 1,454) procedures (relative risk 2.3, p < 0.0001) after endoscopes were processed in a new automated disinfector. Bacteremia involved nine species of Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae, which were also isolated from processed endoscopes. Seven epidemic strains with highly related genomic macrorestriction profiles each infected 2 or more patients, accounting for 29 (55%) episodes of post-ERCP bacteremia. Strains recovered from endoscopes and from the disinfector were associated with 22 (42%) and 5 (9%) bacteremic episodes respectively. Effective endoscope disinfection was achieved by cleansing and disinfection of a blind channel not processed in the disinfector, additional isopropanol-air flush of all channels, and auto-disinfection of the disinfector. In the following period, the incidence of post-ERCP bacteremia returned to the pre-epidemic rate (1.7%, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Bacterial genome fingerprinting by macrorestriction analysis enabled delineation of a multi-strain outbreak of post-ERCP bacteremia. Cross-contamination, and to a lesser extent, common-source contamination, appeared related to inadequate disinfection of endoscopes processed in an automated disinfector.

Bacteremia↗

Community-acquired bacteremias from tunneled central intravenous lines: results from studies of a single vendor.

Tunneled central intravenous catheters are a common method for rendering prolonged outpatient intravenous therapy. Their safety, however, has not been well studied. We conducted a retrospective evaluation of bacteremias associated with tunneled central intravenous catheters managed by a single home health care vendor during a 1-year period. All catheters were inserted in the operating room under sterile conditions. To calculate total line days, the dates of catheter insertion and removal were obtained from either the hospital operating room or the home health care agency. Catheter care was conducted according to written protocols. Total line days were calculated. Community-acquired bacteremia (defined as bacteremia occurring more than 6 days after the patients' discharge from the hospital) was determined from records available in the infection control department. Sixty-eight patients received intravenous therapy from the vendor during the 1-year study period. Total line days were 5548 (median 52 days/patient). Eleven episodes of bacteremia occurred in five patients, providing an incidence density rate of 2.0 infections/1000 catheter days. The most frequent bacteria encountered were Staphylococcus epidermidis (five), Klebsiella pneumoniae (two), and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var anitratus (two). Median time to bacteremia was 103 days. Two patients, both younger than 4 years, accounted for seven of the infections; both had short-bowel syndrome. On the basis of historical comparisons, outpatient intravenous therapy appears to be associated with a lower risk of bacteremia than in-hospital therapy. These data can provide quality improvement information and may be a means for comparing home infusion therapy vendors.

Acinetobacter Infections↗

Inconsistency of a model aimed at predicting bacteremia in hospitalized patients.

Clinical prediction rules can help physicians determine the necessity for blood cultures in specific patients and/or in whom empiric antibiotic treatment should be administered. Before adopting a prediction rule its validity must be evaluated in different settings. We revealed independent predictors of true bacteremia and developed a risk score based on them in one group of adult hospitalized patients (n = 474; derivation set). An attempt was made to validate this risk score in a second group of in-patients at the same hospital (n = 438; validation set). The derivation set included 540 blood culture episodes and the validation set 516. A blood culture episode was defined as one or more of all blood specimens withdrawn for culture from one patient over one 24 hour period. Independent multivariate predictors of true bacteremia were: temperature of 39 degrees C or higher, current immunosuppressive therapy, serum alkaline phosphatase > 100 IU and hospitalization in an intensive care unit. In the low risk group, defined by the absence of the said predictors, the rates of true bacteremia were 5.1 and 4.6% for the derivation and validation sets, respectively. As raised temperature is the main clinical feature guiding physicians to suspect bacteremia, we examined the probability of true bacteremia in patients with a temperature of less than 38 degrees C and found it to be 5.6% in the two sets. The model identified high risk subset patient groups demonstrating true bacteremia in 38% of all episodes in the derivation set and the comparatively low rate of 12.1% (p < 0.01) for the validation set.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

The degree of chills for risk of bacteremia in acute febrile illness.

PURPOSE: Patients with acute febrile illness may experience different degrees of chills. To evaluate the different degrees of chills in predicting risk of bacteremia in patients with acute febrile illness, we performed a single-center prospective observational study. METHODS: We enrolled consecutive adult patients with acute febrile illness presenting to our emergency department. We defined mild chills as cold-feeling equivalent such as the need of an outer jacket; moderate chills as the need for a thick blanket; and shaking chills as whole-body shaking even under a thick blanket. We estimated risk ratios of the different degrees of chills for bacteremia using multivariable adjusted Poisson regression. RESULTS: Of a total 526 patients, 40 patients (7.6%) had bacteremia. There were 65 patients (12.4%) with shaking chills, 100 (19%) with moderate chills, and 105 (20%) with mild chills. By comparing patients with no chills, the risk ratios of bacteremia were 12.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1-36.2) for shaking chills, 4.1 (95% CI 1.6-10.7) for moderate chills, and 1.8 (95% CI 0.9-3.3) for mild chills. Shaking chills showed a specificity of 90.3% (95% CI 89.2-91.5) and positive likelihood ratio of 4.65 (95% CI 2.95-6.86). The absence of chills showed a sensitivity of 87.5% (95% CI 74.4-94.5) and negative likelihood ratio of 0.24 (95% CI 0.11-0.51). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the degree of chills is important for estimating risk of bacteremia in patients with acute febrile illness. The more severe degree of chills suggests the higher risk of bacteremia.

Acute Disease↗

Eggerthella hongkongensis sp. nov. and eggerthella sinensis sp. nov., two novel Eggerthella species, account for half of the cases of Eggerthella bacteremia.

Eggerthella, one of the human gut flora, was rarely reported to cause bacteremia in the literature. We describe the application of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing in defining the epidemiology and clinical significance of Eggerthella bacteremia during a 4-year period. Among 55 clinically significant blood culture isolates of anaerobic Gram-positive bacilli, 5 were identified as E. lenta and 5 belonged to 2 novel Eggerthella species, proposed as E. hongkongensis and E. sinensis, respectively. The 10 patients with Eggerthella bacteremia were adults, and 9 had underlying diseases. In all cases, the source of the bacteremia was likely from endogenous flora. Septic shock was a complication in 4 patients, and 3 patients died. The present study suggests that Eggerthella bacteremia is much more common than expected and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Moreover, the 2 novel species account for half of the cases of Eggerthella bacteremia.

Actinobacteria↗

Outcome of cephalosporin treatment of bacteremia due to CTX-M-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli.

The aim of the study was to analyze the outcome of different antibiotic treatments for bacteremia due to CTX-M-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli. In a prospective controlled clinical study from October 2002 to April 2005, 22 consecutive cases of bacteremia due to ESBL-producing E. coli with a ceftazidime-inhibition zone diameter of > or =18 mm were studied. The Etest method was used to determine the MIC values of cefotaxime, ceftazidime, imipenem, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin against 22 isolates of E. coli. The polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analyses were used to determine the genotypes of the ESBLs. Of these 22 episodes, 7 were treated with ceftazidime, 8 were treated with imipenem/cilastatin, and 7 were treated with cefoperazone/sulbactam after detection of bacteremia. The demographic characteristics were comparable between the 3 groups. The treatment success ratio was similar (ceftazidime 85.7%, imipenem/cilastatin 87.5%, cefoperazone/sulbactam 71.4%, P = 0.637). Difficulties arose during treatment of peritonitis caused by CTX-M-producing E. coli bacteremia. Patients with bacteremia associated with urinary tract infection or biliary tract infection had a better chance of survival. All the 22 strains of E. coli produced CTX-M ESBLs (CTX-M-3, CTX-M-14, or CTX-M-27). The MICs of ceftazidime for 22 strains of E. coli were < or =8 microg/mL. All 7 patients who received ceftazidime survived, 6 of them were cured. Treatment in one patient with a ceftazidime MIC of 2 mug/mL failed because of abdominal abscess. Treatment with ceftazidime in vivo was effective against cases of CTX-M ESBL-producing E. coli bacteremia due to urinary tract infections and biliary tract infection when the MICs of ceftazidime were < or =8 microg/mL.

Adult↗

Bacteremia in children at a regional hospital in Trinidad.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide a Trinidadian perspective on pediatric community-acquired and hospital-acquired bacteremia via the documentation of common etiologic agents, antimicrobial profiles of the isolated pathogens, and patient outcome. METHODS: This was a six-year retrospective study of children with bacteremia admitted to the pediatric wards of the San Fernando General Hospital, Trinidad. RESULTS: Seven hundred and four episodes of pediatric bacteremia were reviewed during the six-year study period. The predominant isolate was Staphylococcus aureus (23.9%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.5%), and Enterobacter spp (11.1%). The remaining isolates each accounted for less than 10% of total isolates. The mortality rate was highest for P. aeruginosa (39.4%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (22.5%), and Escherichia coli (19.2%). Of the six cases due to Neisseria meningitidis, only two survived. The overall mortality rate for the study period was 15.1%, but varied considerably according to age. All deaths due to P. aeruginosa and E. coli occurred in neonates. Almost 90% and about half of all S. aureus were resistant to ampicillin and erythromycin, respectively; nineteen (11.3%) were methicillin-resistant. More than 95% of K. pneumoniae and more than 87% of Haemophilus influenzae were resistant to ampicillin. Group B streptococci were fully susceptible to ampicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, but showed >90% and >70% resistance to tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, respectively. Of the 40 strains of S. pneumoniae isolated, 10.0% had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) >or=4 microg/mL (resistance) and 12.5% had a MIC=2.0 microg/mL (intermediate resistance) to ceftriaxone, while 7.5% showed intermediate resistance (MIC between 0.12 and 1 microg/mL) and 25.0% showed resistance (MIC >or=2 microg/mL) to penicillin. CONCLUSION: The bacteremia rate was found to be 8.4% among hospitalized children suspected of having sepsis and from whom a blood culture was positive. Bacteremia was also associated with a high mortality rate of 15.1%. An unusually high level of bacteremia with Gram-negative enteric bacteria was seen, which might indicate cross infection and reflect a breakdown in infection control measures. Relatively high-level resistance of S. pneumoniae to penicillin and ceftriaxone was not seen, even though the overall prevalence of resistance to other antibiotics among other pathogens was relatively low. The drugs that showed the greatest efficacy were imipenem, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and the cephalosporins ceftazidime and ceftriaxone.

Bacteremia↗

Bacteremia due to beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group G: increasing incidence and clinical characteristics of patients.

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with Streptococcus group G bacteremia from 1990 to 1999 at a community teaching hospital in Israel. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We calculated the annual rate of bacteremia with Streptococcus group G, expressed as a percentage of positive blood cultures (after excluding contaminants) and per 1000 admissions. Medical records of patients with Streptococcus group G were reviewed. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, there was a total of 7415 positive blood cultures, 327 (4.4%) of which were beta-hemolytic Streptococcus species, of which 49 (15%) were group G. The rate of Streptococcus group G bacteremia per 1000 admissions increased from zero (0/18,783) in 1990 to 0.41 (13/31,440) in 1999 (P = 0.001), surpassing Streptococcus group A in frequency. Of the 47 patients with Streptococcus group G, 40 medical records were available for review: 25 patients (63%) were older than 75 years and 32 (80%) were men. The probable source of Streptococcus group G bacteremia was a skin or soft tissue infection in 37 patients (93%). Six of the 40 patients died. CONCLUSION: Community-acquired group G streptococcal bacteremia occurred with increasing frequency from 1990 to 1999 at our hospital. Most patients were elderly men, and the portal of entry was usually the skin or soft tissue. Our findings suggest a change in the epidemiology of bacteremia due to beta-hemolytic streptococci.

Adolescent↗

[The risk factors associated with colonization and bacteremia in non-tunnelled central venous catheters].

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for colonization and bacteremia among patients with non-tunnelled central venous catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted of a cohort of patients carrying non-tunnelled central venous catheters. Different parameters were obtained and the degree of its association with colonization of the distal portion of the catheter or with bacteremia associated with colonization was estimated. The CDC (centers for Disease Control) diagnostic criteria of colonization and catheter-related bacteremia were used. RESULTS: A total of 118 catheters were eventually analyzed, corresponding to 114 patients, with a catheterization mean time of 14 +/- 8 days (mean +/- SD); out of these 114 patients, 51 were colonized and in 22 the presence of associated bacteremia was confirmed. The parameters associated with a higher risk for catheter colonization included length of colonization, femoral location, number of lumina and a vital prognosis lower than one month. All these factors, with the exception of the increase in the number of lumina, showed an independent association with colonization on the multivariate analysis [catheterization length (in weeks): OR 1.46; 95% CI: 1.0-2.11; femoral location: OR 3.73; 95% CI: 1.16-11.9; vital prognosis lower than one month: OR 12.7; 95% CI: 1.4-112.7]. As for risk for catheter-related bacteremia, the univariate analysis showed an association with catheterization length and a vital prognosis lower than one month; the latter was the only factor that maintained an independent association in the multivariate analysis (OR 5.75; 95% CI: 1.17-28.27). CONCLUSION: The present study documents the relevance of prolonged catheterization as a consistent risk for colonization of non-tunnelled central venous catheters. This risk increases independently in canalization at femoral site and particularly among severely ill patients. The presence of these factors allows the identification of a high risk population for the development of catheter related bacteremia.

Adolescent↗

[Pneumococcal bacteremia in patients aged over 65 years. A study of 161 cases].

BACKGROUND: Here we present the results from a prospective analysis of pneumococcal bacteremia in patients older than 65 years, highlighting its differences with regard to patients aged from 15 to 64 years. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We performed a prospective follow-up study (1988-1999) of patients older than 14 years whohad blood cultures positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae(S. pneumoniae). S. pneumoniae was identified using standard techniques. The antimicrobial sensitivity was analysed using the broth midrodilution technique and the serotype was studied in a reference laboratory. Statistical analyses were performed by means of the SPSS program, version 9.0. RESULTS: 161 out of 321 bacteremias occurred in 154 patients older than 65 years (86 males). Most frequent underlying diseases were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and neoplasia. Most patients had pneumonia, 29.7% with ilfiltrates involving at least two lung lobes. 9.4% of bacteremias were nosocomial. Among patients older than 65 years, 32.5% of strains were resistant to penicillin, compared to 21.7% in patients younger than 65 years(p = 0.034). Mortality in patients over 65 years was higher than in younger patients (25.3% vs 11.5%; p = 0.002) and mortality predictive factors in a multivariate analysis were age, nosocomial bacteremia and multi-lobe involvement (in patients with pneumonia). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of pneumococcal bacteremia in patients over 65 years of age. These patients have a higher rate of resistance to penicillin and a higher mortality rate than younger patients. Mortality predictive factors are age, nosocomial bacteremia and multi-lobe involvement.

Adolescent↗

Bacteremia in transplant recipients: a prospective study of demographics, etiologic agents, risk factors, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Bacteremic infections are a major cause of death among organ transplant recipients. We sought to identify the risk factors associated with death and examine the timing of the bacteremic episode after operation to recognize patients who may benefit from perioperative prophylactic antibiotic therapy. METHODS: A total of 125 episodes of bacteremia or fungemia in 16 heart, 26 kidney, and 70 liver recipients were monitored prospectively in 1 year. RESULTS: The urinary tract was the most frequent portal for kidney recipients, the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts were frequent for liver recipients, and the lung was frequent in heart recipients. Heart and liver recipients were more severely ill at the time of bacteremia and had bacteremia sooner after operation. Death at 14 days after onset of bacteremia was 33% in heart recipients, 24% in liver recipients, and 11% in kidney recipients. Risk of death was associated with the severity of the underlying condition of the transplant recipient, the source of the bacteremia, and the microbial agent. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species had fatality rates of 47% and 63%, respectively. P. aeruginosa and Enterobacter were also most commonly associated with failures of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: There are distinct clinical patterns of bacteremia in transplant recipients. The emergence of P. aeruginosa and Enterobacter species in the immediate postoperative period appeared to be a significant cause of morbidity and death among transplant recipients.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Yersinia bacteremia and iron overload].

A retrospective multicentric study was conducted to determine the real prevalence of underlying iron overloads during Yersinia bacteremias. Ninety-seven cases of bacteremias (84 Yersinia enterocolitica, 13 Yersinia pseudotuberculosis) were registered between 1990 and 1996 in eastern France. Available data were collected in 70 cases (72.2%). Laboratory investigations of iron status were done in 53% (37/70). Three patients had a past record of known hemochromatosis, meanwhile in nine other cases an iron overload was discovered during the Yersinia bacteremia. Two cases of hemochromatosis were confirmed by liver histology. In all of these 12 cases, Yersinia enterocolitica was the causal agent. The effective prevalence of underlying iron overload in Yersinia bacteremias is 40% when researched, greater than data commonly published (1.8-14%), showing both epidemiological and clinical under estimation of iron's importance in Yersinia infection pathogenesis. A Yersinia bacteremia must be considered as an indicator of possible iron overload. Yersinia infection must be suspected in febrile hemochromatosic patients. A multicentric study must be conducted to evaluate incidence and characteristics of bacteremias in hemochromatosic patients.

Aged↗

Epidemiology of polyclonal gram-negative bacteremia.

Polyclonal bacteremic episodes are caused by more than one genotype of the same species. We conducted a study to estimate the frequency and to describe the epidemiology of polyclonal Gram-negative bacteremia in our patient population. We reviewed the patients' medical records. We also did pulsed field gel electrophoresis on 66 Gram-negative isolates obtained from the 28 patients (29 episodes) who had more than one morphologically different isolate of the same Gram-negative species in a blood culture obtained between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1993. Nine of 29 (31%) bacteremic episodes evaluated were polyclonal. The source of bacteremia was not significantly different among patients with polyclonal and monoclonal bacteremic episodes. Patients with polyclonal bacteremic episodes were younger and were more likely to have rapidly fatal diseases than were those with monoclonal bacteremic episodes; however, neither of these differences reached statistical significance. Patients with polyclonal bacteremic episodes were significantly more likely to have leukemia than were those with monoclonal bacteremic episodes (odds ratio = 18.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.92 to 255.80). Three of nine patients who had polyclonal bacteremia died compared with 2 of 19 patients who had monoclonal bacteremia (odds ratio = 4.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.41 to 50.80). Polyclonal Gram-negative bacteremia is more common than previously thought. Despite their younger age, patients with polyclonal bacteremic episodes were more likely to die than those with monoclonal bacteremic episodes. Thus, polyclonal bacteremia may be either an indicator or a risk factor for poor prognosis.

Adolescent↗