Recent Trends of Isolates from Cases of Bacteremia in Denmark

Abstract

The results of blood cultures from the majority of Danish hospitals examined at Statens Seruminstitut in the years 1965 and 1971 have been analysed. Out of a total of 18986 cultures in 1965 and 24387 cultures in 1971, 2184 (from 1253 patients) and 2837 (from 1610 patients), respectively, yielded growth of relevant microorganisms. Bacteremic patients with gram-negative rods constituted approximately 50% both in 1965 and in 1971. Two or more bacterial species were isolated from 6.5% of the patients. In such cases Streptococcus faecalis occurred frequently. The distribution of the whole material of blood cultures with growth according to agent showed no shift from 1965 to 1971. However, in 1971 a significantly higher percentage than in 1965 of the isolates of both gram-negative rods and Staph. aureus was found to be sensitive to a variety of antibiotics. The most likely explanation for this change would seem to be a change in antibiotic policy in an increasing number of hospitals in this country towards stricter requirements for well-defined indications for the use of antibiotics and towards a preferential use of potent bactericidal antibiotics.