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Campylobacter enteritis in children: clinical and laboratory findings in 137 cases
S D Puthucheary1, N Parasakthi, S T Liew
1Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.
Insights
Campylobacter jejuni is the main cause of diarrhea in children under five, particularly infants aged 2-12 months. Erythromycin is effective against most strains, with 96.2% sensitivity observed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Campylobacter infections are a significant cause of childhood diarrhea.
- Campylobacter jejuni is a predominant enteropathogen in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical features and microbiological aspects of Campylobacter diarrhea in children.
- To evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of Campylobacter strains, focusing on erythromycin.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 137 children diagnosed with Campylobacter diarrhea.
- Identification of bacterial enteropathogens and assessment of clinical symptoms.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, including Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for erythromycin.
Main Results:
- Campylobacter jejuni was the predominant species identified.
- Most affected children were under 5 years old, with a peak incidence in infants aged 2-12 months.
- Fever and bloody diarrhea were common; erythromycin showed high sensitivity (96.2%) with an MIC90 of 2 mg/l.
Conclusions:
- Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of diarrhea in young children, presenting with significant gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Erythromycin is a potentially effective treatment option for Campylobacter infections in this age group, demonstrating high in vitro sensitivity.
Abstract:
One hundred and thirty-seven children with Campylobacter diarrhoea were reviewed. The predominant species was C. jejuni. Ninety-five percent of the children were below 5 years of age with 61% of these being 2-12 months old. A slight male preponderance was noted. About half the cases presented with fever and bloody diarrhoea; vomiting was seen in 28% and abdominal colic in only 8%. Moderate to severe diarrhoea was present in 48% of the children. Thirty-seven percent had a history of recent or concurrent illness. Other bacterial enteropathogens together with Campylobacter were isolated in 15% of the children. Erythromycin, the most useful drug, when indicated for Campylobacter infections, had an MIC90 of 2 mg/l with 96.2% of the strains being sensitive.