Micro-Organisms and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of positive blood culture, micro-organisms and antibiotic resistance in children having severe acute malnutrition with positive blood cultures.

Methodology: A total of 285 children with severe acute malnutrition of both genders and ranging in age from 6 months to five years were included. Children who had congenital syndrome, cancer, heart problems, chronic liver illness, or chronic renal disease or had taken antibiotics within the week before presentation were not included. Two blood culture bottles with 20 millilitres of Brain-Heart Infusion (BHI) broth were used to inoculate the blood. The microorganisms were evaluated. Positive blood cultures were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) using the E-test and the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique in compliance with the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing's standards. Antibiotic resistance was assessed.

Results: Seventy-five (26.32%) of the children in our research with severe acute malnutrition had positive blood cultures. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 11 (14.67%), pneumococcus streptococcus in 08 (10.67%), enterobacterales in 29 (38.67%), non-fermented GNB in 23 (30.67%), and enterococcus in 04 (5.33%) of the children with severe acute malnutrition who had positive blood cultures. Resistance was documented to ciprofloxacin (38.67%), erythromycin (45.33%), amikacin (29.33%), ceftriaxone (64.0%), gentamycin (33.33%), and penicillin (74.67%).

Conclusion: In order to guarantee prompt and effective care, these results highlight the vital necessity of routine blood culture testing, locally customized antibiograms, and evidence-based treatment procedures.

Keywords: Antibacterial Agents, Bacteraemia, Drug Resistance, Bacterial, Infant, Severe Acute Malnutrition