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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Treatment of nosocomial infections in children undergoing antimicrobial chemotherapy

H Bonatti1, J P Guggenbichler, J Hager

  • 1Chirurg. Universitäts-Klinik, Innsbruck, Austria.

Infection
|September 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Imipenem/cilastatin effectively treated life-threatening hospital-acquired infections in immunocompromised children, showing good tolerance. This broad-spectrum antibiotic is suitable for pediatric nosocomial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

  • Immunocompromised children (malignant diseases, prematurity, post-surgery/trauma) are highly susceptible to severe infections.
  • Nosocomial infections with multidrug-resistant organisms pose a significant challenge despite standard antibiotic use.
  • Life-threatening infections in this vulnerable population require effective therapeutic options.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of imipenem/cilastatin in treating severe hospital-acquired infections in pediatric patients.
  • To assess treatment outcomes in immunocompromised children with various serious infections, including those with implanted biomaterials.

Main Methods:

  • An open clinical study involving 31 infants and children with 45 episodes of life-threatening nosocomial infections.
  • Treatment with imipenem/cilastatin (50 mg/kg BW) alone or in combination with other antimicrobials.
  • Inclusion of patients with sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, peritonitis, and infected biomaterials.

Main Results:

  • Imipenem/cilastatin therapy was well-tolerated with no observed side effects.
  • Successful treatment was achieved in 34 out of 45 infection episodes (75.6%).
  • Treatment failures occurred in cases of Candida albicans, Pseudomonas cepacia, and resistant Streptococcus faecium infections.

Conclusions:

  • Imipenem/cilastatin is a suitable and well-tolerated antibiotic for managing severe nosocomial infections in immunocompromised children.
  • The study highlights the potential of imipenem/cilastatin in combating difficult-to-treat pediatric infections, with limitations noted for specific resistant organisms.

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