Retrospective study of bacterial epidemiology and culture optimization

What is it about?

We conducted a retrospective study describing a nine-year bacterial epidemiology in four traumatology and orthopedic surgery departments. Bacteria identified, site of infection, and antibiotic resistance were evaluated. Antibiotics for use in probabilistic protocols and after documentation of infection were selected for follow-up. Bacterial species were isolated after a maximum incubation period of 15 days up to 2020, and 10 days from 2021 with the addition of a solid culture medium that promotes anaerobic bacterial growth.

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Why is it important?

No change in antibiotic resistance was observed in our retrospective study. This is probably related to the use of some precautions when prescribing antibiotic therapy. For gram-negative bacilli, cefepime is the beta-lactam of choice for probabilistic treatment when combined with an antibiotic that is particularly effective against methicillin resistant staphylococci. An incubation period limited to 10 days seems to be sufficient for the culture of slow-growing organisms, as epidemiological analysis has not shown any negative effects. Optimized cultures may be useful for more rapid adjustment of antibiotic therapy for prosthetic joint infections, in addition to reducing the overall cost of treatment.

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