Background: As per World Health Organization (WHO), sepsis is a leading cause of hospitalization and death in children in developing countries.The rapidly changing bacteriologic profile of childhood sepsis warrants the need for an ongoing review of the etiopathogenesis and drug susceptibility pattern of causative agents.
Objectives: To find out the etiological profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the pathogens causing pediatric sepsis in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Central India.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. 194 clinical samples were collected from inpatients ranging in age from >1 month to 15 years. Isolation and identification of pathogens were done using Standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the standard Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and interpreted as per CLSI guidelines.
Results:Out of the total 87 blood culture isolates majority were Gram Positive cocci (70%); with Staphylococcus aureus (53%) being the most predominant organism. The GPC isolates showed high susceptibility towards Vancomycin, Linezolid, Piperacillin tazobactam, and Tetracyclines. Methicillin resistance was reported in 38% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates. 40% of Enterococcus isolates exhibited High-level Aminoglycoside resistance.Enterobacteriaceae isolates exhibited high susceptibility towards Carbapenems, Colistin, Piperacillin tazobactum& Ceftazidime clavulanate. 40% of E.coli isolates & 50% of K.pneumoniae isolates were found to be Extended-spectrum β lactamase (ESBL) producers.
Non-fermenters exhibited high sensitivity towards Meropenem, Colistin, Piperacillin tazobactam, Amikacin.
Conclusions: The present study has provided much-needed information on the local antimicrobial profile of the prevailing pathogens causing pediatric sepsis which will be helpful in guiding their management.