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[Microbiologic flora in two different periods in intensive care units]
M Capuzzo1, M L Nepoti, M R Rossi
1Istituto di Anestesiologia e Rianimazione, Università degli Studi di Ferrara.
Minerva Anestesiologica
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Intensive Care Units (ICUs) saw a rise in Gram-positive bacteria and a decrease in Gram-negative bacteria between 1985-1986 and 1988-1989. This shift in bacterial prevalence may impact infection rates in critical care settings.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Context:
- Bacterial surveillance in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is crucial for understanding evolving resistance patterns.
- Two distinct periods (1985-1986 and 1988-1989) were compared to assess changes in microbial flora.
- The study focused on specimens from patients admitted to two similar ICUs within the same hospital.
Purpose:
- To evaluate changes in bacterial and fungal prevalence in ICU patients over time.
- To compare the distribution of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria between the two study periods.
- To investigate potential correlations between microbial findings and patient characteristics, such as respiratory failure.
Summary:
- Gram-positive bacteria increased from 45.3% to 62.3%, while Gram-negative bacteria decreased from 41.9% to 29% between the two periods.
- Fungal prevalence remained constant.
- A higher percentage of tracheal aspirate specimens showed no microbial growth in the second period (54.3% vs. 33.3%), potentially linked to increased treatment of chronic respiratory failure.
Impact:
- Highlights a significant shift towards Gram-positive bacterial dominance in ICUs.
- Suggests that the observed low rate of pneumonia may be attributed to the patients' neurological status.
- Provides valuable data for antimicrobial stewardship and infection control strategies in critical care environments.