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Published on: February 9, 2011

Bloodstream infection caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in children

Jessica Kagen1, Theoklis E Zaoutis, Karin L McGowan

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|May 29, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bloodstream infections in children are often polymicrobial and linked to home settings. Risk factors include malignancy, prior antibiotic exposure, and immunosuppression.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen causing bloodstream infections (BSI).
  • Limited data exists on S. maltophilia bacteremia development in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding risk factors and outcomes is crucial for managing pediatric S. maltophilia BSI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify risk factors associated with S. maltophilia BSI in children.
  • To define outcomes for pediatric patients with S. maltophilia BSI.
  • To compare S. maltophilia BSI with other Gram-negative rod BSIs in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case-control study at a children's hospital (2000-2005).
  • Compared 51 patients with S. maltophilia BSI to 103 controls with other Gram-negative rod BSI.
  • Multivariate analysis to identify independent risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Patients with S. maltophilia BSI were more likely to have malignancy and polymicrobial infections.
  • Home setting acquisition was a significant risk factor (adjusted OR, 4.18).
  • Prior trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole exposure, immunosuppression, and black race were associated risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric S. maltophilia BSI is associated with polymicrobial infections and home acquisition.
  • Risk factors include malignancy, prior antibiotic exposure, and immunosuppressive therapy.
  • These findings aid in understanding and managing S. maltophilia infections in children.

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