Pediatric bloodstream infections in metropolitan Australia

Abstract

Background

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) cause significant morbidity and mortality of children worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate BSI in children and determine the identity of causative organism and their susceptibility patterns in a metropolitan public hospital in Australia.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed children aged 0–16 years admitted to a public hospital from January 1, 2010 to August 31, 2014 inclusive, and whose blood cultures revealed bacteraemia. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, species of bacteria isolated, antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates, and clinical outcomes.

Results

Out of 96 patients with BSI, 55 (57.3%) were males. The median age was 3.35 years (IQR 0.44–7.46), and there were 2 mortalities. Common sites of infection were the respiratory tract (16.6%, n = 16), bone and joints (15.6%, n = 15) and the urinary tract (11.5%, n = 11). The most frequent isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (27.0%), Escherichia coli (14.0%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (12.0%). Whilst most bacterial isolates displayed susceptibility (> 90%) to common antimicrobial agents, only 57.1% (8/14) of Escherichia coli isolates were susceptible to ampicillin and 58.3% (7/12) were susceptible to co-trimoxazole.

Conclusions

Gram-positive bacteria accounted for the majority of pediatric BSIs, of which invasive pneumococcal disease remains a noteworthy cause. The majority of isolates, except Escherichia coli, were susceptible to commonly used antimicrobials. This study confirms the knowledge of high rates of resistance of Escherichia coli to ampicillin. Therefore, empirical treatment should still include gentamicin. Monitoring of resistance patterns is warranted to ensure that antibiotic therapy remains appropriate.

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