A notable portion of deaths in bloodstream infections (BSI) have previously been shown to occur within 2 days after taking the first positive blood culture specimen. The aim of this study was to analyse patients' characteristics and causative pathogens of BSIs, leading to early deaths in order to explore possibilities for prevention. Patients with BSI in Helsinki and Uusimaa region (population = 1.5 million) in 2007 were identified from the National Infectious Disease Register (n = 2181) and their deaths within 2 days after the first positive blood culture from the Population Information System (n = 76). Of the early fatal BSIs, 42 (55%) were community-acquired (CA-BSI) and 34 (45%) healthcare-associated (HA-BSI). Charlson comorbidity index was moderate-to-high (index = 3) in 71% of HA-BSIs and 60% of CA-BSIs. The most common pathogens in CA-BSIs were Streptococcus pneumoniae (29%) and Escherichia coli (24%) and in HA-BSIs Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24%) and Staphylococcus aureus (18%). The respiratory tract (50%) was the most common focus of infection. Empiric antimicrobial treatment was more often appropriate in CA-BSIs vs HA-BSIs (81% vs 41%, p