Clinical characteristics and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in blood culture positive enteric fever in children

Dr Priyanka Pandit; Dr Subhash Chandra Shaw; Dr Amit Devgan

Volume : VII, Issue : VI, June - 2017

Clinical characteristics and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in blood culture positive enteric fever in children

Dr Priyanka Pandit, Dr Subhash Chandra Shaw, Dr Amit Devgan

Abstract :

Introduction Despite availability of vaccination, children still form a large subset of Enteric disease population. Increasing antibiotic resistance is adding to the complexity of the disease. This study was undertaken to study the clinical characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates obtained in blood culture positive paediatric patients. Material and Methods Blood for culture and sensitivity was collected from paediatric cases of fever. Data of clinical characteristics and sensitivity pattern of Salmonellae to commonly used antibiotics was analyzed. Results A total of 34 children had culture proven enteric fever in the study period. There were 8 cases of Salmonella Paratyphi A, 2 cases of Salmonella Paratyphi B and rest all were Salmonella Typhi. Inj. Ceftriaxone was used empirically via Intravascular route in two divided doses and all the cases responded favourably. Discussion All children were found to be beyond 5 years of age. The clinical features of the disease observed in the children were much different from those of the adults. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern in our study revealed universal sensitivity to carbapenems, Tigecycline, Colistin and Ceftriaxone. However resistance to fluoroquinolones was almost 95%. Conclusion Sending blood culture in appropriate amount adhering to standard guidelines in any undiagnosed fever is necessary to diagnose enteric fever in children. The local sensitivity pattern should be relied while designing the hospital antibiotic policy on enteric fever and the indiscriminate use of antibiotics must be checked to prevent further drug resistance.