EXPERIENCE WITH ENTEROBACTER BACTEREMIA IN A DUBLIN TEACHING HOSPITAL

In a review of Enterobacter bacteraemia in a 600-bedded teaching hospital, 22 episodes were identified in 20 patients over a 2-year period. An evaluation of risk factors suggested an association between Enterobacter infection and the presence of central venous catheters or use of H-2 receptor antagonists. These factors together with previous exposure of the patient to gentamicin, and prolonged stay in the intensive care unit, increased the likelihood of gentamicin-resistant Enterobacter bacteraemia. This finding has implications for the choice of antibiotic regimen in the empirical treatment of suspected Gram-negative septicaemia. © 1994.