Decrease in anaerobe-related bacteraemias and increase in Bacteroides species isolation rate from 1998 to 2007: A retrospective study

Conflicting data have accumulated in recent years regarding the incidence of anaerobic bacteraemias. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacteraemias due to anaerobic bacteria and evaluate the importance of anaerobic blood cultures in a university hospital in Israel. A retrospective survey which focused on anaerobic blood culture bottles was performed on blood cultures received in our laboratory during the decade from January 1998 to December 2007. Anaerobic-related bacteraemias decreased during that period, whereas a significant increase was observed in Bacteroides species isolated from the blood cultures (from 18% during 1998–2002 to 43% during 2003–2007). Comparison of the medical records of 54 patients with Bacteroides-related bacteraemia during the two end periods (1998–1999 and 2006–2007) revealed a marked increase in complex underlying diseases. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II were found in 29% of the patients in 1998–1999 and increased to 43–45% of the patients in 2006–2007. Ischemic heart disease also increased from 14% of the patients in 1998–1999 to 43% in 2006–2007. We conclude that although positive anaerobic blood cultures account for a small percentage of positive blood samples, the growing involvement of Bacteroides species-related bacteraemias together with an increase in complex underlying diseases in these patients emphasize the importance of anaerobic blood cultures, particularly in patients with co-morbidities.