title: Bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients: distribution and antibiotic resistance of bacteria.
abstract: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are among the leading infections in critically ill patients. The case-fatality rate associated with BSIs in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) reaches 35%-50%. The emergence and diffusion of bacteria with resistance to antibiotics is a global health problem. Multidrug-resistant bacteria were detected in 50.7% of patients with BSIs in a recently published international observational study, with methicillin resistance detected in 48% of Staphylococcus aureus strains, carbapenem resistance detected in 69% of Acinetobacter spp., in 38% of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and in 37% of Pseudomonas spp. Prior hospitalization and antibiotic exposure have been identified as risk factors for infections caused by resistant bacteria in different studies. Patients with BSIs caused by resistant strains showed an increased risk of mortality, which may be explained by a higher incidence of inappropriate empirical therapy in different studies. The molecular genetic characterization of resistant bacteria allows the understanding of the most common mechanisms underlying their resistance and the adoption of surveillance measures. Knowledge of epidemiology, risk factors, mechanisms of resistance, and outcomes of BSIs caused by resistant bacteria may have a major influence on global management of ICU patients. The aim of this review is to provide the clinician an update on BSIs caused by resistant bacteria in ICU patients.
authors: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, Paolo Giaccone University Hospital, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Russotto
authors: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, Paolo Giaccone University Hospital, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Cortegiani
authors: Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother-Child Care, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Graziano
authors: Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother-Child Care, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Saporito
authors: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, Paolo Giaccone University Hospital, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Santi Maurizio
authors: SM
authors: Raineri
authors: Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother-Child Care, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Mammina
authors: Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, Paolo Giaccone University Hospital, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Antonino
authors: A
authors: Giarratano
keywords: ICU; MDR; antibiotic; bloodstream infections; intensive care unit; multidrug resistant