title: Aetiology, antimicrobial therapy and outcome of patients with community acquired severe sepsis: a prospective study in a Norwegian university hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Severe sepsis is recognized as an inflammatory response causing organ dysfunction in patients with infection. Antimicrobial therapy is the mainstay of treatment. There is an ongoing demand for local surveillance of sepsis aetiology and monitoring of empirical treatment recommendations. The present study was established to describe the characteristics, quality of handling and outcome of patients with severe sepsis admitted to a Norwegian university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A one year prospective, observational study of adult community acquired case-defined severe sepsis was undertaken. Demographics, focus of infection, microbiological findings, timing and adequacy of empirical antimicrobial agents were recorded. Clinical diagnostic practice was evaluated. Differences between categorical groups were analysed with Pearson's chi-squared test. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were identified in a multivariate stepwise backward logistic regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total 220 patients were identified, yielding an estimated annual incidence of 0.5/1000 inhabitants. The focus of infection was established at admission in 69%. Respiratory tract infection was present in 52%, while genitourinary, soft tissue and abdominal infections each were found in 12-14%. Microbiological aetiology was identified in 61%; most prevalent were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were malignancy, cardiovascular disease, endocarditis, abdominal infections, undefined microbiological aetiology, delay in administration of empirical antimicrobial agents ≥ 6 hours and use of inadequate antimicrobial agents. In patients ≥ 75 years, antimicrobial therapy was less in compliance with current recommendations and more delayed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Community acquired severe sepsis is common. Initial clinical aetiology is often revised. Compliance with recommendations for empirical antimicrobial treatment is lowest in elderly patients. Our results emphasizes that quick identification of correct source of infection, proper sampling for microbiological analyses, and fast administration of adequate antimicrobial agents are crucial points in the management of severe sepsis.
authors.forename: Siri Tandberg
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Nygård
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Langeland
authors.forename: Hans K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Flaatten
authors.forename: Rune
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fanebust
authors.forename: Oddbjørn
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Haugen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. steinar.skrede@helse-bergen.no.
authors.forename: Steinar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skrede
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006760:Hospitalization; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents