[Bacteremia associated with subfebril urinary tract infections (author's transl)]

Blood samples of 115 patients of both sexes admitted to the hospital with urinary tract infections were examined for bacteremia. Out of 115 patients 12 (10%) had positive blood cultures associated with significant urinary counts (greater than or equal to 10(5) organisms/ml). Although 10% of the patients showed positive blood cultures indicating bacteremia none of them had shaking chills, fever or any other clinical signs of septicaemia. None of the patients from whom blood samples were taken had yet received antimicrobial therapy. Bacterial isolates from urine and blood were identical. Microorganisms most frequently isolated were found in the following order: E. coli, Proteus species, K. pneumoniae and coagulase negative staphylococci. Neoplasms, obstruction of the urinary tract and age were found to be high risk factors.