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Prevention of Bloodstream Infections

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Basics

Abstract

Bloodstream infections occur from various sources. Certain microorganisms thrive in different parts of the body or colonize exogenous prosthetic pieces of equipment. Hence the source of a bloodstream infection can almost be predicted according to the microorganism detected. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are in general associated with catheter-related bloodstream infections, whereas aerobic Gram-negative bacilli (AGNB) cause bloodstream infections following lymph drainage from the respiratory tract, intraabdominal space and urinary tract. Most bloodstream infections of unknown origin are gut-derived, e.g., fungemia following translocation of Candida albicans present as overgrowth in the gut. Table 6.1 shows that the contaminated catheter and the lower airways are leading causes of bloodstream infections [1–4].

1. Pittet D, Tarara D, Wenzel RP (1994) Nosocomial bloodstream infection in critically ill patients. Excess length of stay, extra costs, and attributable mortality. JAMA 271:1598–1601

2. Rello J, Ricart M, Mirelis B et al (1994) Nosocomial bacteremia in a medical-surgical intensive care unit: epidemiologic characteristics and factors influencing mortality in 111 episodes. Intensive Care Med 20:94–98

3. Edgeworth JD, Treacher DF, Eykyn SJ (1999) A 25 year study of nosocomial bacteremia in an adult intensive care unit. Crit Care Med 27:1421–1428

4. Valles J, Ochagania A, Rue M et al (2000) Critically ill patients with community-acquired bacteremia: characteristics and prognosis. Intensive Care Med 26 [Suppl 3]:222

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References

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van Saene, H.K.F., Thorburn, K., Petros, A.J. (2009). Prevention of Bloodstream Infections. In: Astuto, M. (eds) Basics. Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain in Neonates and Children. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-0655-3_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-0655-3_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

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