Characteristics of gram-negative microflora isolated from the blood of cardiac patients over 5 years

Currently gram-negative bacteria are recognized as the most problematic pathogens. The authors studied the incidence of bacteremia caused by gram-negative microflora and its sensitivity to antibiotics in patients who underwent cardiac surgery. We analyzed the results of blood tests over a period of 5 years, from 2007 to 2011. During this period, 216 strains of gram-negative bacteria were identified. Enterobacteria accounted for 57.4% (124) of the structure of the gram-negative flora, while 42.6% (92) were glucose non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria. The prevailing pathogens detected when studying cardiac patients' blood were K. pneumoniae (25.5%) and P. aeruginosa (15.3%). The infections caused by K.pneumoniae are most efficiently treated by using carbapenems. As for P. aeruginosa, the most efficient antibiotics to fight this pathogen are piperacillin/tazobactam, amikacin, netilmicin. Carbapenems should be prescribed only after the sensitivity of microorganisms to these antibiotics is determined.