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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Stool cultures at the ICU: get rid of it!

Authors: Carolin F. Manthey, Darja Dranova, Martin Christner, Laura Berneking, Stefan Kluge, Ansgar W. Lohse, Valentin Fuhrmann

Published in: Annals of Intensive Care | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Stool cultures for Campylobacter, Salmonella and Shigella and/or Yersinia spp. are frequently ordered in critically ill patients with diarrhea. The aim of this study is to analyze the diagnostic yield in a large cohort of critically ill patients. Therefore, we performed a cohort study at the Department of Intensive Care Medicine of a University Hospital (11 ICUs).

Results

From all patients who were admitted to the ICU between 2010 and 2015, stool cultures were taken from 2.189/36.477 (6%) patients due to diarrhea. Results of all stool cultures tested for Campylobacter, Salmonella and Shigella and/or Yersinia spp. were analyzed. Overall, 5.747 tests were performed; only six were positive (0.1%). In four of these, Campylobacter spp. were detected; diarrhea started within 48 h after ICU admission. Two patients with Salmonella spp. detection were chronic shedders. On the contrary, testing for Clostridium difficile via GDH- and toxin A/B-EIA yielded positive results in 179/2209 (8.1%) tests and revealed 144/2.189 (6.6%) patients with clinically relevant C. difficile infection.

Conclusions

Stool testing for enteric pathogens other than C. difficile should be avoided in ICU patients and is only reasonable when diarrhea commenced less than 48 h after hospital admission.

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Title: Stool cultures at the ICU: get rid of it!
Authors: Carolin F. Manthey
Darja Dranova
Martin Christner
Laura Berneking
Stefan Kluge
Ansgar W. Lohse
Valentin Fuhrmann
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Annals of Intensive Care / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 2110-5820
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-018-0358-x

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Stool cultures at the ICU: get rid of it!

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

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