Blood Stream Infections in Burns: A 14-Year Cohort Analysis
Yarden Nitsani,
Tal Michael,
Dor Halpern,
Ariel Avraham Hasidim,
Maayan Sher,
Rotem Givoli Vilensky,
Yuval Krieger,
Eldad Silberstein,
Yaron Shoham
Affiliations
Yarden Nitsani
Joyce & Irving Goldman Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 8410501, Israel
Tal Michael
Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 8410501, Israel
Dor Halpern
Joyce & Irving Goldman Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 8410501, Israel
Ariel Avraham Hasidim
Joyce & Irving Goldman Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 8410501, Israel
Maayan Sher
Joyce & Irving Goldman Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 8410501, Israel
Rotem Givoli Vilensky
Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheba 8410101, Israel
Yuval Krieger
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department and Burn Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 8410501, Israel
Eldad Silberstein
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department and Burn Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 8410501, Israel
Yaron Shoham
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department and Burn Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 8410501, Israel
Background: Blood stream infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in burns, and pathogen identification is important for treatment. This study aims to characterize the microbiology of these infections and the association between the infecting pathogen and the hospitalization course. Methods: We conducted a cohort study that included records of burn patients treated at the Soroka University Medical Center between 2007–2020. Statistical analysis of demographic and clinical data was performed to explore relationships between burn characteristics and outcomes. Patients with positive blood cultures were divided into four groups: Gram-positive, Gram-negative, mixed-bacterial, and fungal. Results: Of the 2029 burn patients hospitalized, 11.7% had positive blood cultures. The most common pathogens were Candida and Pseudomonas. We found significant differences in ICU admission, need for surgery, and mortality between the infected and non-infected groups (p p p p < 0.001). Conclusions: Anticipating specific pathogens which are associated with certain burn characteristics may help guide future therapy.
