Bacteraemia due to Staphylococcus aureus. Issue 6 (21st May 2004)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ladhani, S; Konana, O S; Mwarumba, S; English, M C
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 89:Issue 6(2004)
• Page Start: 568
• Page End: 571
• Publication Date: 2004-05-21
• Subjects: focus of infection -- neonate -- outcome -- treatment; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2003.026781
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: To describe the clinical features and outcome of bacteraemia due to Staphylococcus aureus in children admitted to a rural Kenyan hospital. Methods: Retrospective case review of all children with a positive blood culture for S aureus admitted to Kilifi District Hospital, Kenya, between January 1996 and December 2001. Results: Ninety seven children (median age 17 months, range 1 day to 12 years; 46 male) with bacteraemia due to S aureus were identified, accounting for 5% of all positive blood cultures; 10 were considered to be nosocomially acquired. A focus that was clinically consistent with staphylococcal infection was identified in 52 cases; of these, 88% had multiple foci. Children with a focus were likely to be older, present later, and have a longer duration of hospital stay. Most children in this group (90%) received intravenous cloxacillin on admission in contrast to none of those without a focus. In the former group, mortality was only 6% compared to 47% among those without a focus; 10/13 neonates without an apparent staphylococcal focus died compared to none of the 11 with a focus. Eight of the 10 neonates in the former group died within 48 hours of admission, before empirical antibiotics could be changed to include cloxacillin. Conclusions: Children most at risk of death associated with bacteraemia due to S aureus are least likely to have clinical features traditionally associated with this infection.