Table 3.

Arguments pro and against systematic bacteriological samples in ICU patients.

PRO	CON
Surrogate for lack of diagnostic cultures	Not representative for focus of infection
Immediately available microbiological information as compared to new diagnostic cultures (take 48–72 h turnaround time)	Outdated information if rapidly changing microbiome
Increased emphasis on antibiotic therapy covering all likely pathogens	Increased emphasis on antibiotic therapy selectively covering causative pathogens
Allows quick antibiotic response to emerging resistance	Leads to unnecessarily antibiotic escalation