Bacteraemia
Bacteraemia occurs when bacteria get into the bloodstream. Bloodstream infection is also sometimes called septicaemia, which implies greater severity/clinical significance. A wide variety of bacteria can cause bacteraemias, the two most common being Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
The HPA undertakes surveillance of bacteraemia by collecting information from hospital microbiology laboratories. For some organisms ( Staphylococcus aureus and glycopeptide-resistant enterococci) it is mandatory for hospitals to supply data but for other species of bacteria data is supplied on a voluntary basis. In addition, sentinel surveillance is undertaken by the reference laboratories where isolates are sent in by sentinel laboratories for centralised testing for susceptibility to antibiotics. This data can be used to help clinicians choose the best antibiotics.
Staphylococcus aureus
Photo: Janice Carr / CDC
Recent Updates
15 February 2008: Proteus spp, Morganella morganii, and Providencia spp bacteraemias in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 2003 to 2007
21 December 2007: Uncommon pathogens involved in bacteraemia, England , Wales and Northern Ireland : 2001-2006
20 April 2007: Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, and Citrobacter spp. bacteraemia, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland: 2002-2006
16 March 2007: Proteus spp, Morganella morganii, and Providencia spp bacteraemias in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 2001 to 2006