Epidemiology and microbiology of surgical wound infections

J Clin Microbiol. 2000 Feb;38(2):918-22. doi: 10.1128/JCM.38.2.918-922.2000.

Abstract

This study included 676 surgery patients with signs and symptoms indicative of wound infections, who presented over the course of 6 years. Bacterial pathogens were isolated from 614 individuals. A single etiologic agent was identified in 271 patients, multiple agents were found in 343, and no agent was identified in 62. A high preponderance of aerobic bacteria was observed. Among the common pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (191 patients, 28.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (170 patients, 25.2%), Escherichia coli (53 patients, 7.8%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (48 patients, 7.1%), and Enterococcus faecalis (38 patients, 5.6%).

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / epidemiology
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Pseudomonas Infections / epidemiology
  • Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents