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Survey ofEscherichia coli septicemia over a six-year period

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Abstract

Escherichia coli was the most frequent species isolated from blood cultures in the Hospital Covadonga of Oviedo (Spain) over a six-year period (474 episodes, 15.3 % of the total septicemias and 2.7 episodes per 1,000 patients).Escherichia coli strains were susceptible in >95 % of episodes to cefoxitin, cefotaxime, gentamicin, tobramicin and amikacin. In a series of 72 episodes, microbiological features and host factors were studied. No endemic strains were found. Type 1 fimbria was detected in 73.6% of strains and P-fimbriae in 12.5 %, without correlation between P-fimbria and urinary infection; 84.7 % of the strains were resistant to decomplement human serum; 61.1 % produced aerobactin and 20.8 % were hemolytic. Factors such as age, hospital location, metastatic focus and surgical treatment were significantly correlated with morbidity and mortality. The global mortality rate was 18 %, and in 8.3 % of cases was directly associated with septicemia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Funcional (Area de Microbiología), Universidad de Oviedo, c/ Julían Clavería s/n, 33006, Oviedo, Spain

    F. Vázquez, M. C. Mendoza & F. J. Méndez

  2. Hospital Monte Naranco de Oviedo, c/ Vázquez de Mella s/n, 33012, Oviedo, Spain

    F. Vázquez

  3. Servicio de Microbiología del Hospital Covadonga de Oviedo, c/ Celestino Villamil s/n, 33006, Oviedo, Spain

    G. Viejo & F. J. Méndez

Authors
  1. F. Vázquez
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  2. M. C. Mendoza
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  3. G. Viejo
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  4. F. J. Méndez
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Vázquez, F., Mendoza, M.C., Viejo, G. et al. Survey ofEscherichia coli septicemia over a six-year period. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 11, 110–117 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01967061

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