Related Experiment Videos
[Pediatric bacteremia strains grow in blood culture media]
1Department of Pediatrics, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Bacteremia strains may influence the clinical therapy, the isolation of bacteremia strains is important for patients. In order to understand the distribution and the growth in the blood culture media of bacteremia strains, from January 1982 through December 1988 we studied the blood culture sent to us from the pediatric ward. These were three hundred and forty one bacterial strains (3.1%) isolated from patients. In the meantime we also studied the bacteremia strains growth in the blood culture media. In these positive cultures, there were 83 gram-positive, and 258 gram-negative strains. The 83 gram-positive included Staphylococcus aureus (38 strains), hemolytic streptococcus (22 strains), Enterococcus (13 strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae (8 strains) and others (2 strains). The 258 gram-negative strains included Escherichia coli (97 strains), Salmonella spp. (43 strains), Enterobacter spp. (31 strains). Klebsiella spp. (23 strains), Pseudomonas spp. (25 strains), Proteus spp. (17 strains), Citrobacter spp. (11 strains) and others (11 strains). The Growth of bacteremia strains in the blood culture medium, showed that first day isolation strains were 33.7%, second day strains 24.9%, third day were 19.9%, fourth day were 13.5%, fifth day were 3.2%, sixth day were 4.1% and seventh day were 0.6%. In conclusion, the bacteremia strains showed that the gram-negative, which were 75.7%, were more prevalent than the gram-positive which were 24.3%, the isolation of the strains was more in the first to fourth day and grew by 92%, on the fifth day it grew by 3.2% and on the seventh day by only 0.6%. On the fifth day the baby had recovered and we were able to discontinue antibiotic therapy.
Insights
This study analyzed bacteremia strains in pediatric blood cultures from 1982-1988. Gram-negative bacteria were most common, with most isolations occurring within the first four days of culture.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Bacteremia, the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, is a serious condition requiring prompt diagnosis and effective treatment.
- Understanding the types and growth patterns of bacteremia-causing pathogens is crucial for optimizing clinical management and antibiotic therapy.
- This retrospective study examines blood culture data from a pediatric ward over a seven-year period.
Purpose:
- To determine the distribution of bacterial strains causing bacteremia in pediatric patients.
- To analyze the growth kinetics of bacteremia strains in standard blood culture media.
- To correlate isolation timing with bacterial type and clinical outcomes.
Summary:
- A total of 341 bacterial strains were isolated from pediatric blood cultures between 1982 and 1988.
- Gram-negative bacteria (75.7%) were more prevalent than gram-positive bacteria (24.3%). Key pathogens included Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Enterobacter spp.
- The majority of isolates (92%) were detected within the first four days of culture, with significant declines in detection rates thereafter.
Impact:
- The findings highlight the predominance of Gram-negative bacteria in pediatric bacteremia and establish typical timelines for pathogen detection in blood cultures.
- This information can aid clinicians in interpreting blood culture results and adjusting antibiotic regimens, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes.
- Early identification of bacteremia strains facilitates timely and appropriate treatment, as demonstrated by the ability to discontinue antibiotics upon patient recovery.