title: Distribution, optimum detection time and antimicrobial susceptibility rates of the microorganisms isolated from blood cultures over a 4-year time period in a Turkish university hospital and a review of the international literature.
abstract: This study retrospectively examined 8986 blood cultures from patients over a 4-year time period in an eastern Turkish university hospital to determine the detection times and distribution of isolated microorganisms using the automated BACTEC 9050 and BACTEC 9120 systems. A total of 1914 (21.3%) blood cultures contained pathogenic microorganisms and 252 (2.8%) positive cultures were considered contaminated. Of all the cultures, 18 (0.2%) were false positives and 224 (2.5%) were false negatives. In cultures containing pathogenic microorganisms, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial isolation rates were 436 (22.8%) and 1440 (75.2%), respectively, and yeasts (all Candida sp.) were found in 38 (2.0%) cultures. Coagulase-negative staphylococci occurred in 936 (48.9%) cultures and Staphylococcus aureus occurred in 302 (15.8%) cultures. The mean detection time for all of the pathogens was 21 h and Brucella spp were isolated within 10 days. This study helps in understanding the epidemiology of the region and in providing positive therapeutic approaches. A review of the international literature helps to place this understanding into a global context.
authors.affiliation: Van Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Research Hospital, University of Yüzüncü Yil, Van, Turkey. kurtoglumg@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kurtoğlu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bozkurt
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tuncer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kesli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berktas
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D003470:Culture Media; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003470:Culture Media