Sputum Susceptibilities in a Nationwide Veteran Cohort

Respiratory infections are one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality. This study examined antimicrobial susceptibility of common respiratory isolates from veterans.

Sputum culture data from the Veteran Health Administration were obtained retrospectively between January 2009 and 2019. Cumulative antibiograms were constructed for bacterial isolate susceptibility.

The antibiogram of sputum isolates from the VA Healthcare System were examined to determine changes in patterns of resistance over a decade of use.