Rationale for and protocol of a multi-national population-based bacteremia surveillance collaborative

Kevin B Laupland,John Galbraith,Louis Valiquette,Pamela Kibsey,Henrik C Schønheyder,Deirdre L Church,Outi Lyytikäinen,Karina J Kennedy,Peter Collignon,Daniel B Gregson

doi:10.1186/1756-0500-2-146

Abstract

BackgroundBloodstream infections are frequent causes of human illness and cause major morbidity and death. In order to best define the epidemiology of these infections and to track changes in occurrence, adverse outcome, and resistance rates over time, population based methodologies are optimal. However, few population-based surveillance systems exist worldwide, and because of differences in methodology inter-regional comparisons are limited. In this report we describe the rationale and propose first practical steps for developing an international collaborative approach to the epidemiologic study and surveillance for bacteremia.FindingsThe founding collaborative participants represent six regions in four countries in three continents with a combined annual surveillance population of more than 8 million residents.ConclusionFuture studies from this collaborative should lead to a better understanding of the epidemiology of bloodstream infections.

Highlights

Bloodstream infections are among the most important causes of death in developed countries and cause significant morbidity and healthcare cost [1,2,3,4,5]
Bloodstream infections may arise in community-based patients, or may complicate patients course admitted to hospital as nosocomial infections
There are two requirements for centers to participate in the collaborative: 1) the area of surveillance must be geographically and demographically definable and 2) all (≥90%) positive blood cultures occurring among residents of the surveillance population must be identified

Summary

Introduction

Bloodstream infections are among the most important causes of death in developed countries and cause significant morbidity and healthcare cost [1,2,3,4,5]. The recognition of the importance of globalization of trade and international travel in the spread of multi-resistant bacterial pathogens including extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium DT104 has highlighted that infectious diseases control is a global concern [25,26]. While initially this proposed collaborative will include a few selected regions within developed countries, the ultimate goal will be broad multi-national participation

Methods and design

Discussion

Gaynes R