Streptococcus milleri in appendicitis in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency in children.
• Postoperative infections can complicate appendectomies, impacting recovery.
• Identifying causative pathogens is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the pathogens involved in postoperative infections following pediatric appendectomies.
• To determine the prevalence of Streptococcus milleri in these infections.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 253 pediatric appendectomies performed over one year.
• Microbiological analysis of pus samples from infected cases.
• Identification and quantification of isolated bacterial species.

Main Results:

• Postoperative infections occurred in 38 children.
• Streptococcus milleri was isolated from 11 (29%) of these infected cases.
• S. milleri was the most frequently identified pathogen in children with appendiceal infections.

Conclusions:

• Streptococcus milleri is a significant pathogen in childhood appendicitis.
• The prevalence of S. milleri warrants consideration in antibiotic therapy selection for pediatric appendicitis.
• This data can inform empirical antibiotic strategies for suspected appendiceal infections in children.