Prolonged empirical antibiotic therapy is correlated with bloodstream infections and increased mortality in a tertiary care hospital in Ethiopia: bacteriology testing matters.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hospital-associated infection (HAI) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are major health threats in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Because diagnostic capacity is lacking throughout most of Africa, patients are commonly managed with prolonged empirical antibiotic therapy. Our goal was to assess mortality in relation to HAI and empirical therapy in Ethiopia's largest referral hospital.

Methods

Cohort study of patients with suspected HAI at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from October 2016 to October 2018. Blood culture testing was performed on an automated platform. Primary outcomes were proportion of patients with bloodstream infection (BSI), antibiotic resistance patterns and 14 day mortality. We also assessed days of therapy (DOT) pre- and post-blood

SUBMITTER: Semret M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8210023 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature