Journal of Medical Diagnostic Methods
Open Access
ISSN: 2168-9784
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2168-9784
+44 1300 500008
Soomro T, Tikmani SS, Ali SA
Background: Blood stream infection is a serious problem that needs immediate attention and treatment. We aim to identify the frequency of common organisms in blood culture of febrile pediatric patients so that empirical antibiotic therapy can be started timely.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in pediatric ward Civil Hospital Sukkur from 1st May 2013 to 31st October 2014. Children of both genders who are between the age of one month to 15 years admitted to the pediatric ward with a fever of > 38.0 c and with a history of fever ˃ two days and whose blood culture has been sent were included in this study. Informed consent was taken prior to enrollment. The patient’s blood culture was taken under aseptic technique. Samples were sent to microbiology lab civil hospital Sukkur. 1st culture on admission to be taken to avoid confounding with hospital-acquired the infection. The frequency of organisms grown in the culture was documented.
Results: The median age of enrolled participants was 48.5 (46.6) months, 153 (38.5%) were male and 158 (61.5%) were the female and median weight of enrolled participants was 15.9 (9.7) kg. Overall, 178 (69.3%) cases had a history of prior antibiotic use; blood cultures sent within 24 hours were 117 (45.5%) cases. Twenty-two (8.4%) cases were positive. Six were positive for Salmonella typhi cases followed by E. coli.
Conclusions: It was concluded from this study that the frequency of community acquired blood stream infection was 7.6%. Salmonella typhi, E. coli were found to be common pathogens.