A retrospective evaluation of blood cultures in a pediatric intensive care unit: a three year evaluation.

AIM

In this study, it was aimed to retrospectively assess the frequency and antibiotic resistance of microorganisms isolated from blood cultures of patients in a pediatric intensive care unit.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted on blood culture tests obtained from patients in a pediatric intensive care unit and sent to a microbiology laboratory between 2013 and 2016. The species and antibiotic susceptibilities were assessed in microorganisms isolated from the blood cultures.

RESULTS

Overall, 4239 blood cultures were obtained. Growth was detected in 324 blood cultures (7.6%). Of the microorganisms isolated, 195 (60.2%) were Gram-positive bacteria, and 107 (33.0%) were Gram-negative bacteria; 22 (6.8%) were fungi. The most commonly isolated microorganisms were (45.1%), followed by (14.5%), and (6.5%). Among the fungi, the most common was (59.1%), followed by . The resistance rate against methicillin was 89.9% in coagulase-negative staphylococci, and 66% in S. aureus strains. The resistance rate against vancomycin was 3.6% in Enterococci spp. There was no resistance against linezolid in Gram-positive microorganisms. The rate of extended-spectrum beta lactamase positivity was found as 34% in Klebsiella spp. and 100% in . The resistance rate against carbapenem was 44.9% in Gram-negative bacteriae. The resistance rate against carbapenem was 100% in . In , resistance to amphotericine B was 61.5%, and resistance to voriconazole was 7.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

To plan effective empiric antibiotic therapy against nosocomial infections in intensive care units, all units should have information about the characteristics of their own flora.