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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates
Published on: February 17, 2023
Bacteraemia in children
Madhu Sharma1, Nidhi Goel, Uma Chaudhary
1Department of Microbiology, Pt. B.D. Sharma, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, India.
Insights
Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Klebsiella, were the primary cause of bloodstream infections (bacteremia) in children. Sulbactam/cefoperazone showed high sensitivity against these multidrug-resistant organisms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Bacteremia in children poses a significant health risk, necessitating understanding of causative agents and their antibiotic susceptibility.
- Sepsis in pediatric populations requires prompt diagnosis and effective antimicrobial treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the etiology of bacteremia in children aged 0 days to 14 years.
- To analyze the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of bacterial isolates from pediatric bloodstream infections.
Main Methods:
- Blood cultures were performed on 4,368 children suspected of fever and sepsis over 13 months.
- Bacterial isolates were identified using conventional methods.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the modified Stokes method.
Main Results:
- 1,001 cases (22.9%) yielded positive blood cultures, with a 33.94% incidence in neonates.
- Gram-negative organisms predominated (88.8%), with Klebsiella (47.1%) being the most common, followed by Salmonella sp. and Pseudomonas.
- Sulbactam/cefoperazone demonstrated high efficacy (98.2%) against all isolates, while linezolid was most effective for Gram-positive isolates (99.0%).
Conclusions:
- Gram-negative multidrug-resistant organisms are the leading cause of pediatric septicemia.
- Careful selection of antibiotic therapy is crucial for managing pediatric bacteremia.
Objectives:
(i)To know the etiology of bacteraemia in children, (ii) To learn the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates.
Method:
Over the period of thirteen months 4,368 blood samples (for blood culture) were collected from children in the age group of 0 day-14 years, suspected of having fever and sepsis. Blood samples were collected for blood culture from each case. Organisms were isolated and identified by conventional methods. Antibiotic susceptibility for each isolate was determined by using modified Stokes method.
Result:
1,001 cases (22.9%) were culture positive. Incidence of bacteraemia in neonates was 521(33.94%). Gram negative organisms were the most predominant isolates (88.8%). Commonest was Klebsiella 471 (47.1%) followed by Salmonella sp. 162 (16.2%) and Pseudomonas 80 (8%) whereas in gram positive, Staphylococcus aureus 76 (7.6%) was the most common. Maximum sensitivity was seen by sulbactum/cefaperazone combination-969 (98.2%) by all isolates. Linezolid 97 (99.0%) was the most sensitive drug for gram positive isolates.
Conclusion:
Gram negative multidrug resistant organisms were the main cause of septicemia in all the age groups. Therefore great caution is required in selection of antibiotic therapy.
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