[Bacteremia due to Escherichia coli: epidemiological analysis and sensitivity to antibiotics in a county hospital].
OBJECTIVE
There are few studies analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of Escherichia coli bacteremia including the susceptibility to antibiotics and outcome.


METHODS
E. coli bacteremia episodes were recorded from January 1989 to December 1998. Clinical variables, setting acquisition, source of bacteremia, outcome and susceptibility to antibiotics were included. The study was prospective and comparative. Descriptive and univariate analysis were performed.


RESULTS
330 episodes of E. coli bacteremia were recorded: 117 in women. The most frequent source was the urinary tract (68%), followed by an abdominal and biliary focus. E. coli bacteremia appeared mostly in groups II and III of McCabe & Jackson. In 46 cases (14%), E. coli bacteremia was nosocomial. Crude and related mortality was 6.6 and 4.2%, respectively. A significant increase in the resistance to ciprofloxacin was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The epidemiological characteristics of E. coli bacteremia have not changed, yet the mortality was lower in our series. Preventive measures in the hospital and a rational use of antibiotics, principally quinolones, are necessary.
Javaloyas
Manuel
M
Servicios de Medicina Interna y Microbiología. Hospital de Viladecans. Viladecans. Barcelona.
García-Somoza
Dolores
D
Gudiol
Francisco
F
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006766:Hospitals, County; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin