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Published on: January 2, 2017

Antimicrobial therapy of upper respiratory tract infections in children

Agnieszka Tokarz1, Maria Kozioł-Montewka, Rafał Rutyna

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin.

Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Sklodowska. Sectio D: Medicina
|August 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Pediatricians frequently prescribe cefuroxime for pediatric upper respiratory infections, leading to increased Candida and H. influenzae, alongside decreased S. aureus and S. pyogenes. Unsuspecting antibiotic use can cause candidiasis and resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Respiratory tract infections pose significant health challenges, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, children, and the elderly.
  • Bacterial upper respiratory tract infections in children require effective antibiotic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate pediatrician preferences for antibiotic prescriptions in pediatric ambulatory bacterial upper respiratory tract infections.
  • To assess the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy through microbiological examinations.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was administered to 47 pediatricians in the Lublin area regarding antibiotic prescribing habits.
  • Microbiological examinations were conducted to determine treatment efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Cefuroxime was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic (93.6%), while macrolides were rarely used.
  • Staphylococcus aureus (70.5%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (14.7%) were the predominant strains during infection.
  • Post-treatment, a significant increase in Candida albicans (44.1%) and Haemophilus influenzae (20.5%) was observed, with a decrease in S. aureus and S. pyogenes.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic prescription without prior susceptibility testing influenced the occurrence of post-antimicrobial candidiasis.
  • The study highlights the emergence of carrier states and increasing bacterial resistance.
  • Judicious antibiotic use and susceptibility testing are crucial in pediatric respiratory infections.

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