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A 1.5 Hour Procedure for Identification of Enterococcus Species Directly from Blood Cultures
05:02

A 1.5 Hour Procedure for Identification of Enterococcus Species Directly from Blood Cultures

Published on: February 10, 2011

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Comparison of outcomes between patients with single versus multiple positive blood cultures for Enterococcus:

Kimberly C Claeys1, Evan J Zasowski1, Abdalhamid M Lagnf1

  • 1Anti-Infective Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.

American Journal of Infection Control
|September 22, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Multiple positive blood cultures for Enterococci bloodstream infections (BSIs) indicate higher inpatient mortality and shorter survival. Longer BSIs also significantly increase mortality risk, warranting further investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Enterococci are frequent causes of bloodstream infections (BSIs).
  • The clinical significance of single versus multiple positive blood cultures for Enterococci remains debated.
  • Understanding prognostic indicators for Enterococcal BSIs is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the number of positive blood cultures and patient outcomes in Enterococcal BSIs.
  • To determine the impact of BSI duration on mortality in patients with Enterococcal infections.

Main Methods:

  • Single-center retrospective study design.
  • Analysis of patient data including blood culture results and survival outcomes.
  • Statistical evaluation of the correlation between positive blood culture counts, BSI duration, and mortality.

Main Results:

  • Patients with multiple positive blood cultures for Enterococci showed increased inpatient mortality.
  • A shorter median survival was observed in patients with multiple positive blood cultures.
  • Bloodstream infections lasting longer than 6.7 days were associated with approximately 20% increased mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple positive blood cultures may signify a worse prognosis in Enterococcal BSIs.
  • Prolonged duration of Enterococcal bloodstream infections is a significant risk factor for mortality.
  • These preliminary findings highlight the need for further research to confirm and expand upon these results.
Keywords:
Bloodstream infectionContaminationEnterococciInpatient mortality

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