Epidemiology of Hospital-acquired Primary Bloodstream Infections: 5-Year Experience

Objective: Bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI) are among the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections. In this study, the patients diagnosed with primary BSI were evaluated, risk factors and the distribution profiles of the pathogenic microorganisms were identified. Materials and Methods: Culture-confirmed 206 nosocomial primary bacteremic episodes were evaluated regarding age, gender, underlying disease, presence of a catheter, distribution of pathogenic microorganisms, and status of their antimicrobial resistance. Results: 206 episodes of bacteremia were identified in 183 patients diagnosed with nosocomial primary BSI during a period of 5 years among the patients evaluated with active surveillance. The most common underlying disease was diabetes mellitus. There was an intravascular catheter in 55% of the patients. The most commonly isolated microorganisms were A.baumannii, coagulase-negative staphylococci and E.coli. Conclusion: In recent years, the bacterial profile of the causative agents of BSI has changed from gram-positive to gram-negative microorganisms. Antibiotic resistance rates have also increased significantly. In the selection of empirical treatment, it is important to know the complicating factors, the causative pathogen profile of the region and hospital, and the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance rates for appropriate treatment. Keywords: Antimicrobial susceptibility, hospital-acquired bloodstream infections, microorganism, primary bacteremia