Bacteraemia among severely malnourished children in jimma university hospital, ethiopia

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) significantly impairs immune function, increasing susceptibility to infections.
• Clinical presentation of infections in SAM children is often atypical, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
• Understanding the burden of bloodstream bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of bloodstream bacterial infections (bacteraemia) in severely malnourished children.
• To identify common bacterial pathogens causing bacteraemia in this population.
• To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of these bacterial isolates.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study was conducted on severely malnourished children admitted to Jimma University Specialized Hospital.
• Blood samples were collected, and bacterial isolates were identified using standard bacteriological techniques.
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer method.

Main Results:

• Bacteraemia was detected in 20.6% of the 170 children studied.
• Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, were the predominant isolates (68.6%), followed by Gram-negative Klebsiella species.
• High resistance rates were observed for common antibiotics (Amoxycillin, Co-trimoxazole, Chloramphenicol), while Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacin, and Ceftriaxone showed over 80% susceptibility.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of bacteraemia, dominated by Gram-positive bacteria, exists in severely malnourished children in Jimma.
• Significant antibiotic resistance to frequently used antimicrobial agents was documented.
• Current antibiotic treatment guidelines for severe acute malnutrition may require revision based on these findings.