DIAGNOSTIC ANAEROBIC BACTERIOLOGY IN ITALY - STATE-OF-THE-ART

A total of 220 microbiology departments in 205 general hospitals, 12 u niversity hospitals, and 3 military hospitals were surveyed by questio nnaire during the period March-May 1996 in order to evaluate the statu s of diagnostic anaerobic bacteriology in Italy. Responses were receiv ed from 47 laboratories (21.3%). The number of beds in the responding facilities varied widely (129-2,200), as did the number of specimens t ested for anaerobic bacteriology (50-29,900). In most cases (94%), the microbiologist made the decision to culture and to proceed to further identification of isolates (mainly by commercial systems), depending on the adequacy of samples. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was perf ormed in 52.5% of laboratories surveyed. Although it is difficult to d raw relevant conclusions owing to the poor response rate, it seems tha t the condition of anaerobic bacteriology in Italy is far from satisfa ctory. Among major limitations are low interest in the field, lack of standardization of procedures, poor utilization of reference centers, and limited technological resources.