Recent guidelines emphasize the importance of early EA targeting all microorganisms followed by rapid de-escalation after microbiologic identification of pathogens and susceptibility testing [ 2, 3, 6, 7].
Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected during the first day in the ICU, severity scores, comorbidities, performance status, cancer-related data, microbiologic identification, empiric antibiotics and the adherence to treatment guidelines.
In 59 (12%) cases, AT was prolonged and based on microbiologic identification without susceptibility testing, while 109 (21%) patients had negative cultures.
We assumed that without specific microbiologic identification of cases, no intervention would take place and that intervention to protect contacts is 100% effective.
The baseline clinical presentation of acute PE may be associated with the bacteria involved [ 17, 18], which may assist clinicians to better medically and surgically manage patients before microbiologic identification is made.
We suggest that novel microbiologic identification with non-culture techniques, including serologic tests, immunohistologic methods, polymerase chain reaction, and molecular-probing technologies, be introduced to aid in the rapid diagnosis of these virulent infections [ 28, 29].
Nasopharyngeal swabs (n = 79) or an endotracheal aspirate were sent to the laboratory for microbiologic identification.
Because microbiologic processing may not be available around the clock, optimal storage of specimens is essential for accurate microbiologic identification of pathogenetic bacteria.
Infections due to Rothia species are likely to be underreported, since they are not routinely included in the databases of automated microbiologic identification systems.
Patients treated without any microbiologic sampling of their suspected infection or having their treatment based only on microbiologic identification without susceptibility testing were considered to have a low level of microbiologic confirmation of infection.
