Bacterial and fungal bloodstream infections in patients at the University Hospital of Cracow

In presented material evaluation of changes in sepsis and types of bloodstream infections of hospitalized patients in Wards of the University Hospital in Cracow were examined. Results of 9,138 blood cultures studied in years 1989-1999 were analysed. All of the blood samples were recovered from 4,656 infected adults at Clinics of the University Hospital in Cracow. Microbiological blood examinations were held in system of constant monitoring of isolated cultures applying BacT/Alert--colorimetric system (Organon Teknika). Cultured micro--organisms were identified using commercial biochemical tests (bio-Merieux). During period of research changes of profile of isolated microorganisms was observed. Percentage of blood infections of Enterococcus spp. etiology increased from 2.2% in 1989 to 9.8% in 1997-98 (p = 0.014). Dynamic growth of non-fermentative S. maltophilia bacilli to 5.5% (p = 0.036) and Serratia marcescens to 13.8% (p = 0.042) in 1999 was revealed. Designed according to our research review of fungal flora in years 1989-1999 revealed tendency of systematic growth of invasive candidemia frequency, from 1.1% to 10.4%. Diagnostic and therapeutic profile of Departments was in a strict connection with increase of the number and meaning of the politiological bacteremias (p = 0.036) in total number of systemic infections cases.