Community-acquired bloodstream infections among paediatric patients admitted to an Italian tertiary referral centre: a prospective survey

Infez Med. 2012 Sep;20(3):176-81.

Abstract

Introduction. Invasive bacterial diseases continue to represent a significant burden in paediatric age, and the emergence of previously secondary bacteria and antibiotic-resistant strains requires a continuous surveillance. Materials and methods. A one-year prospective survey on laboratory confirmed community-acquired bloodstream infections (CA-LBSIs) cases admitted to an Italian tertiary specialistic paediatric Hospital. Results. Twelve cases were documented, with an incidence rate of 0.39/1,000 admissions to the Emergency Department, and of 2.9/1,000 hospitalizations to general and specialized wards. Mean age at diagnosis was 5.2 +/- 5.9 years, with 58.3% of episodes regarding children younger than years. Six episodes were caused by Gram positive and six by Gram negative bacteria, with potential vaccine-preventable pathogens responsible of 50% of CA-LBSIs. Empiric antibiotic therapy prescribed at admission was found appropriate to microbiological results in the totality of cases and administered for a mean time of 17.7 +/- 10.1 days. No resistant strains were found. All patients had a good outcome. Conclusions. Prompt collection of samples for microbiological tests together with the rapid institution of empiric antibiotic therapy are essential for the correct management of CA-LBSIs in paediatric patients. Implementation of vaccinations against the major responsible pathogens remains the most important prevention strategy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy*
  • Bacteremia / epidemiology*
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Bacteremia / prevention & control
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Hospitals, Pediatric
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Inpatients / statistics & numerical data*
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents