Article

PURPOSE: To identify the pathogens that frequently cause infection and to explore
their clinical features in acute stroke patients. METHODS: From June 1, 1999 to
December 31, 2008, we reviewed medical records of 263 patients with acute stroke
and 351 controls. Within 30 days from admission, 109 and 107 patients had one or
more bacterial cultures, respectively. The cumulative bacteria-free probability
of all patients and the incidence of each isolated pathogen were assessed. We
searched for the factors associated with isolation of different Gram-negative
bacilli (GNB). RESULTS: Patients with recent stroke were prone to
healthcare-associated colonization within 2 weeks from admission. One-fourth of
stroke patients had positive bacterial culture. Stroke patients had a high
incidence of Staphylococcus aureus and various GNB in their sputum. When urinary
tract infections (UTIs) began 9 days or more after admission, the contributory
pathogens were most often glucose-nonfermenting bacilli. However, if UTIs
occurred within 9 days after admission, the pathogens were likely to be
Enterobacteriaceae bacilli. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke patients had high incidence of
pathogenic bacteria in their sputum which might be prone to pneumonia. The time
after admission of the onset of UTI is useful information for predicting
contributory pathogens and planning for appropriate treatment.

Langue : ANGLAIS