Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

HAEMATOGENOUS  INFECTIONS  CAUSED  BY  EXTENDED  SPECTRUM BETA LACTAMASE-PRODUCING KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE IN  PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Background: Present study was aimed to determine the proportion of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains from the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and to identify risk factors for these infections. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2014 to December 2015. Data pertaining to demographics, length of stay, outcome, and relevant risk factors previously defined in the literature was collected. Results: A total of 226 non-duplicate strains and fifty isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from the blood of pediatric patients. The frequency of isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae was 30/226 (13.27%) isolates. ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae was most commonly isolated in the pediatric intensive care unit. Patients with infections due to ESBL-producing Klebsiella had a longer duration of hospital stay as well as PICU stay. Conclusion: K. pneumoniae is the most common gram-negative bacterial isolate responsible for bloodstream infections in pediatric patients. Further prospective studies with phenotypic characterization of the ESBL-producing organisms, as well as analysis of initial therapy, treatment failure incidence, are needed to determine the burden of ESBL-producing organisms in the pediatric population.
Key words: Antimicrobial resistance, extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL), haematogenous infection, Klebsiella pneumoniae, pediatric patients.