The bacteriology of a rural general practice: a retrospective six-year study.

The organisms cultured and their antibiotic sensitivities, together with clinical details, were obtained from all the available bacteriology requestlresult forms from a rural practice over a six-year period. The 3022 bacteriology specimens analysed yielded 997 potential pathogens. The main infections studied were those of the urinary tract, the upper respiratory tract and the skin and soft tissue. In spite of the fact that trimethoprim alone had never been used in the practice, 29% of urinary tract pathogens were resistant to this drug. Ninety-six per cent of isolates of Haemophilus influenzae were sensitive to ampicillin. The overall results suggest that most infectious disease in rural general practice can be managed with a limited and inexpensive antibiotic regimen. Such a regimen is described.