Clinicomicrobiological insight into bacteremia due to gram positive cocci

Introduction: Bacteremia due to Gram positive cocci poses a challenge to clinicians due to the delay in diagnosis and multidrug resistance among these bugs. Aim: To study the associated infections, risk factors& antibiotic resistance in Gram positive cocci, to note antibiotic treatment and outcome in bacteremia. Materials and Method: Observational study was carried out in Microbiology laboratory of a tertiary care centre. Blood samples were cultured using BacT/ALERT system. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern was done by Vitek 2 compact system. Results: Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common isolates of clinically significant Gram positive bacteremia. Skin and soft tissue infections, infective endocarditis, urosepsis and biliary tract infections were the common sources. Health care related infections (55%) were predominant in contrast to hospital acquired bacteremia (15%) indicating that prior invasive procedures increases the risk of blood stream infection. Mortality of 34% was observed. Conclusion:Timely diagnosis of sepsis, identification of risk factors and co morbidities, choosing the appropriate antibiotic therapy is crucial in the management of Gram positive bacteremia.