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Septicemia and endocarditis, 1965–1980, in a Swedish university hospital for infectious diseases

Septikämie und Endokarditis in einem schwedischen Universitätsklinikum für Infektionskrankheiten von 1965–1980

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Summary

A 16-year (1965–1980) retrospective clinical study of septicemia and endocarditis was performed at a hospital for infectious diseases. 634 patients (74.5%) had septicemia, 138 (16.2%) endocarditis and 79 (9.3%) suspected endocarditis. The mean age was 55 years, 472 were males and 379 females. Predisposing underlying conditions were recognized in 89.2%. Gram-positive cocci (62.3%) dominated over gramnegative rods (29.5%). The most common causative organisms of septicemia wereStaphylococcus aureus (22.4%) andEscherichia coli (20.2%), and of endocarditis,S. aureus (47.1%) and alpha haemolytic streptococci (21.0%). The overall fatality rate was 17.7% and was highest in infections caused by gram-negative rods andS. aureus. In septicemia the rate was 15.3% and in endocarditis 37.0%. Unfavourable prognostic factors were high age, endocarditis and underlying conditions such as haematological diseases and various other factors.

Zusammenfassung

An einem Klinikum für Infektionskrankheiten wurde eine retrospektive klinische Studie über Septikämie und Endokarditis in einem Zeitraum von 16 Jahren (1965–1980) durchgeführt. 634 Patienten (74,5%) machten eine Sepsis durch, 138 (16,2%) eine Endokarditis, und bei 79 (9,3%) bestand Verdacht auf Endokarditis. Das mittlere Alter betrug 55 Jahre. 472 Patienten waren Männer, 379 Frauen. Bei 89,2% der Patienten wurden prädisponierende Grundkrankheiten festgestellt. Grampositive Kokken fanden sich häufiger (62,3%) als gramnegative Stäbchen (29,5%). Die häufigsten Sepsiserreger warenStaphylococcus aureus (22,4%) undEscherichia coli (20,2%); als kausale Erreger der Endokarditis dominiertenS. aureus (47,1%) und alpha-hämolysierende Streptokokken (21,0%). Die Gesamtmortalität betrug 17,7% und war bei durch gramnegative Stäbchen undS. aureus verursachten Infektionen am höchsten. 15,3% der Sepsisfälle und 37,0% der Endokarditisfälle verliefen tödlich. Hohes Alter, Endokarditis und Grundkrankheiten wie hämatologische Erkrankungen sowie verschiedene andere Faktoren erwiesen sich als prognostisch ungünstig.

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Julander, I. Septicemia and endocarditis, 1965–1980, in a Swedish university hospital for infectious diseases. Infection 15, 177–183 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01646043

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