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Septicaemia in patients with and without AIDS at Westminster Hospital, London
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, U.K.
Abstract:
The types of organism causing septicaemia in patients with AIDS and without AIDS at Westminster Hospital were examined prospectively over a period of 2 years (1990-1991). Altogether 417 episodes of septicaemia were diagnosed, 148 (35%) of which were in patients with AIDS. Of septicaemias in patients with AIDS, 53 (36%) were caused by mycobacteria. Non-mycobacterial septicaemias were associated with IV access devices in 58 (61%) of patients with AIDS and in 50 (19%) of those without AIDS. Gram-negative organisms were responsible for septicaemia associated with IV access devices in 16 (28%) of 58 patients with AIDS and in 8 (16%) of 50 patients without AIDS. Non-typhoidal Salmonella species or Shigella species caused 13 (31%) of 42 episodes of septicaemia caused by Gram-negative organisms in patients with AIDS. These findings have influenced the strategy for empirical therapy of septicaemia in patients with AIDS at Westminster Hospital.