Bacteraemia--a Sagamu perception.

In this study laboratory records of all positive blood cultures at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital between January 1993 and December 1998 were reviewed and analyzed. A total of 2057 samples of blood cultures were received in the laboratory during the period of study. 495 (24.1%) samples yielded significant growth of microorganisms. 87 (17.6%) of the positive cultures were from the out patients. Most of the positive blood cultures (99.6%) were mono-microbial. A total of 497 isolates were obtained. The predominant organisms isolated were Klebsiella species (30.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (30.8%), atypical coliforms (11.9%) and Pseudomonas species (7.5%). There were more gram-negative organisms 309 (62.2%) than gram-positive organisms 188 (37.8%). Staphylococcus aureus (30.8%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (5.0%) were the predominant gram-positive organisms isolated. A large number (>50%) of the organisms isolated were resistant to Ampicillin and Gentamicin but were sensitive to third generation cephalosporins and quinolones. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the need for all hospitals to monitor the microorganisms causing septicemia so that the clinicians can be alerted to a suitable strategy for blind therapy.