Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, national study of antimicrobial treatment for pediatric...

To evaluate clinical practices for ESBL-producing urinary tract infection (UTI) in France.

We performed an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, hospital-based study in 22 pediatric departments of university or secondary care hospitals. We collected data of the last five patients presenting with ESBL-producing UTI in 2012 and the physicians' therapeutic approach to two case vignettes of acute non-septic ESBL-producing pyelonephritis (7-month-old girl) and cystitis (30-month-old girl). The adequacy of the therapeutic decision was analyzed by a panel of independent infectious disease experts.

A total of 80 case patients of ESBL-producing UTI were collected: 54 with acute pyelonephritis (mean age: 28 months, female: 66%), of whom 98% received an intravenous ESBL-adapted antibiotic treatment and 55% a two-drug antibiotic therapy. Carbapenems were used in 56% of cases and aminoglycosides in 36%. Of the 26 cystitis patients (mean age: 5 years, female: 73%), 85% were treated with antibiotics, including three intravenously (carbapenems=2). For the case vignettes, physicians (n=85) would have treated the pyelonephritis patient with carbapenems (76%) and/or aminoglycosides (68%); 71% would have used a two-drug antibiotic treatment. The cystitis patient would have been treated intravenously by 29% of physicians; 8% would have used a two-drug antibiotic treatment, 16% would have prescribed carbapenems, and 11% aminoglycosides. Antibiotic treatments were deemed appropriate in 37% of cases.

Antimicrobial treatment for ESBL-producing UTI greatly varies, and carbapenems are excessively prescribed. Specific guidelines for ESBL infections are required.