Epidemiology and Prevalence of Bloodstream Infections in a Regional Hospital in Northern Taiwan During 2008-2013

Wen Shyang Hsieh, Yin Tai Tsai, Wei Ming Chi, Hsueh Hsia Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Diagnosing bloodstream infections (BSIs) is a critical function of clinical microbiology laboratories. To reveal the prevalence of BSIs in a hospital in Northern Taiwan, which was established in July 2008, we investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with positive blood cultures from July 2008 to December 2013. Methods: The medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. In total, 104,641 blood culture sets were collected and analyzed. Results: Microorganisms grew on 10.28% of these sets, as follows: 5.48% exhibited growth of a single microorganism; 1.56% exhibited growth of more than one microorganism; and 3.24% exhibited growth of contaminants. Furthermore, 5739 monomicrobial isolates included: Gram-positive cocci (22.02%); Enterobacteriaceae (56.51%); glucose nonfermentative Gram-negative bacteria (7.27%); yeast (6.22%); and anaerobic bacteria (6.64%). Most microorganisms were identified as follows: Escherichia coli (33.80%); Staphylococcus aureus (14.20%); Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.41%); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.17%); and the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii (Acb) complex (2.68%). Furthermore, among infants aged ≤3 months, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and S.aureus were the leading pathogens causing bacteremia, whereas among infants 3-12 months old and children 1-4 years old, Salmonella species were the leading pathogens causing bacteremia. The prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae increased from the 3-12-month-old age group and reached a peak in the 5-12-year-old age group. For patients aged >13 years, the most common pathogens were E.coli, S.aureus, and K.pneumoniae. Conclusion: We propose that the types and prevalence of BSIs vary according to age group and exhibit substantial geographical differences.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)187-189
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine (Taiwan)
Volume6
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1 2014

Keywords

  • Escherichia coli
  • Group B Streptococcus
  • Infant bacteremia
  • Staphylococcus aureus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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