Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
Burkholderia Sepsis in Children as a Hospital-Acquired Infection
Kyu Yeun Kim1, Dongeun Yong2, Kyungwon Lee2
1Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Hospital-acquired Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) infections are rare in children without lung disease. A 2014 surge in pediatric cases highlights the need for increased awareness and effective treatment to prevent mortality.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Critical Care
Background:
- Hospital-acquired Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) infections are uncommon in pediatric patients lacking underlying lung conditions.
- A notable increase in B. cepacia bloodstream infections was observed in pediatric patients in 2014.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics of B. cepacia infections in pediatric patients.
- To investigate the epidemiology of B. cepacia bacteremia in a hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of B. cepacia blood isolates from January 2004 to December 2014.
- Analysis of electronic medical records for patient clinical data.
- Dendrogram construction for B. cepacia isolates from pediatric and adult patients.
Main Results:
- 14 pediatric and 69 adult patients had B. cepacia bacteremia.
- Pediatric B. cepacia bacteremia rates were higher in 2014, with most requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission.
- Four pediatric cases resulted in mortality despite appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Conclusions:
- Hospital-acquired B. cepacia infections, though infrequent in children, pose a significant risk of mortality and morbidity.
- Increased vigilance for B. cepacia colonization and prompt, effective therapeutic interventions are crucial in pediatric care settings.
Purpose:
Hospital-acquired Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) infection are not commonly recorded in patients without underlying lung disease, such as cystic fibrosis and chronic granulomatous disease. However, in 2014, B. cepacia appeared more frequently in pediatric blood samples than in any other year. In order to access this situation, we analyzed the clinical characteristics of B. cepacia infections in pediatric patients at our hospital.
Materials And Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study of blood isolates of B. cepacia taken at our hospital between January 2004 and December 2014. Patient clinical data were obtained by retrospective review of electronic medical records. We constructed a dendrogram for B. cepacia isolates from two children and five adult patients.
Results:
A total of 14 pediatric patients and 69 adult patients were identified as having B. cepacia bacteremia. In 2014, higher rates of B. cepacia bacteremia were observed in children. Most of them required Intensive Care Unit (ICU) care (12/14). In eleven children, sputum cultures were examined, and five of these children had the same strain of B. cepacia that grew out from their blood samples. Antibiotics were administered based on antibiotic sensitivity results. Four children expired despite treatment. Compared to children, there were no demonstrative differences in adults, except for history of ICU care.
Conclusion:
Although there were not many pediatric cases at our hospital, awareness of colonization through hospital-acquired infection and effective therapy for infection of B. cepacia is needed, as it can cause mortality and morbidity.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:28Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:25Endocarditis I: Introduction
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption