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Bacteria causing respiratory infections in children and their sensitivity to antibiotics

M A Stancic1

  • 1Child and youth protection, Obrenovac, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Acta Medica Austriaca
|January 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

This study identified common bacterial pathogens in children, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most frequent gram-positive bacteria. Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed varying effectiveness against these common pediatric infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Bacteriology

Background:

  • Bacterial infections are common in children, necessitating an understanding of prevalent pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibilities.
  • Data from 1983-1986 provides a historical baseline for common bacterial agents in pediatric respiratory samples.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the most frequent bacterial agents isolated from pediatric nose and pharynx samples.
  • To analyze the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of these common bacterial pathogens in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of bacterial isolates from children visiting a health center between 1983 and 1986.
  • Identification of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus haemolyticus, E. coli, Klebsiella enterobacter, Proteus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • Assessment of bacterial sensitivity to various antibiotics, including cloxacillin, sulphametoxazole-trimethoprim, lincomycin, penicillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins, erythromycin, aminoglycosides, sulphonamides, and chloramphenicol.

Main Results:

  • Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent gram-positive isolate (40-44%).
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae (6-12%) and Streptococcus haemolyticus group A (14-19%) were also common.
  • Gram-negative bacteria included E. coli (14%), Klebsiella enterobacter (8%), Proteus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2-4%).
  • Staphylococcus aureus showed high sensitivity to cloxacillin (96%) and sulphametoxazole-trimethoprim (95%), but resistance to penicillin.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae was sensitive to ampicillin, lincomycin, erythromycin (96%), and cephalosporins (83%).
  • E. coli demonstrated high sensitivity to aminoglycosides (97%) and sulphonamides (96%).
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa was sensitive to aminoglycosides (95%) and gentamycin (92%) but resistant to cephalosporins and ampicillin.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus haemolyticus group A are significant bacterial pathogens in pediatric respiratory infections.
  • Antibiotic resistance patterns, particularly penicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, highlight the need for appropriate antibiotic selection.
  • Sensitivity data guides empirical treatment choices for common pediatric bacterial infections, with aminoglycosides and sulphonamides being effective against many gram-negative isolates.

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