儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病中性粒细胞缺乏伴发热单中心血流感染病原菌分析

目的 分析儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)化疗后中性粒细胞缺乏伴发热(FN)血流感染的临床特点、危险因素和病原菌分布。方法 回顾性分析2007年1月1日至2016年12月31日上海交通大学附属儿童医院血液肿瘤科收治的ALL化疗后发生FN住院患儿的临床资料和血培养结果,分析菌株的分布及药敏特点。结果 纳入ALL患儿312例,FN1 548例次,共送检1 700例次血培养,血培养阳性率7.5%(127/1 700),血流感染发生率8.2%(127/1 548),病死率9.4%(12/127)。血流感染革兰阳性菌51.1%(65/127),革兰阴性菌47.2%(60/127),真菌1.5%(2/127)。革兰阴性菌血流感染与革兰阳性菌血流感染比较,ANC<0.1×10⁹·L^-1的患儿占比(P=0.041)和感染性休克发生率更高(P=0.002)。2012~2016年铜绿假单胞菌构成比较2007~2011年增加(χ²=4.712,P=0.030)。ALL的危险程度分层IR/HR(OR=2.560,P=0.045)和ANC<0.1×10⁹·L^-1(OR=0.754,P=0.025)是血流感染发生的独立危险因素。结论 ALL患儿发生FN时血流感染病原菌阳性率较高(8.2%),以革兰阳性菌感染为主。在严重粒细胞缺乏时以革兰阴性菌血流感染为主,铜绿假单胞菌感染有增加趋势,合并感染性休克是FN死亡的独立危险因素。     

儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病中性粒细胞缺乏伴发热单中心血流感染病原菌分析

目的 分析儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)化疗后中性粒细胞缺乏伴发热(FN)血流感染的临床特点、危险因素和病原菌分布。方法 回顾性分析2007年1月1日至2016年12月31日上海交通大学附属儿童医院血液肿瘤科收治的ALL化疗后发生FN住院患儿的临床资料和血培养结果,分析菌株的分布及药敏特点。结果 纳入ALL患儿312例,FN1 548例次,共送检1 700例次血培养,血培养阳性率7.5%(127/1 700),血流感染发生率8.2%(127/1 548),病死率9.4%(12/127)。血流感染革兰阳性菌51.1%(65/127),革兰阴性菌47.2%(60/127),真菌1.5%(2/127)。革兰阴性菌血流感染与革兰阳性菌血流感染比较,ANC<0.1×10⁹·L^-1的患儿占比(P=0.041)和感染性休克发生率更高(P=0.002)。2012~2016年铜绿假单胞菌构成比较2007~2011年增加(χ²=4.712,P=0.030)。ALL的危险程度分层IR/HR(OR=2.560,P=0.045)和ANC<0.1×10⁹·L^-1(OR=0.754,P=0.025)是血流感染发生的独立危险因素。结论 ALL患儿发生FN时血流感染病原菌阳性率较高(8.2%),以革兰阳性菌感染为主。在严重粒细胞缺乏时以革兰阴性菌血流感染为主,铜绿假单胞菌感染有增加趋势,合并感染性休克是FN死亡的独立危险因素。     

Bacteremia in children: etiologic agents, focal sites, and risk factors

A prospective study was carried out on 210 cases of children under 10 years of age with fever. Cases of gastroenteritis, respiratory tract infections, and suspected sepsis in children seen or admitted to the pediatric hospital were studied. Clinical and microbiological data were recorded in a questionnaire or obtained from patient medical records. Most of the children with septicemia (71.3 per cent) were less than 1 year old. Focal source of bacteremia was gastroenteritis (40.4 per cent), pneumonia or bronchopneumonia (20 per cent), meningitis (7.4 per cent), and urinary tract infections (7.4 per cent). The predominant pathogens isolated from blood or stool specimens were gram-positive bacteria (53.3 per cent), mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. The gram-negative bacteria (45.6 per cent) were mainly Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Yersinia spp. One case of Candida albicans (1.1 per cent) was reported. Pasteurella pneumotropica was reported in two cases for the first time. The mortality rate was 4 per cent, mostly from septicemia cases. Long duration of hospitalization (> 10 days) and parenteral feeding were identified as risk factors. Resistance of the isolated pathogens to several commonly used antibiotics was observed. Empirical treatment with antibiotics is recommended only in life-threatening cases.     

The Efficacy of Ticarcillin-Clavulanate and Gentamkin as Emplrlc Treatment for Febrile Neutropenic Pediatric Patients with Cancer

The therapeutic efficacy of ticarcillin-clavulante and gentamicin was assessed in 56 pediatric cancer patients with 95 febrile neutropaic episodes. The mean temperature of these children on admission was 102°F (range 101° to 106°F), with a median absolute neutrophil count of 60. The median hospital stay was 7 days. All of the patients had one of two was of permanent central lines (Port-A-Cath, N = 75; Hickman, N = 20). Of 20 episodes of bacteremia,17 had microbial isolates that were gram-positive bacteria and 8 of these episodes required the addition of vamomycin. Clinical cure was achieved in 84 of the 95 febrile episodes (88%) with the use of ticarcillin-clavulante and gentamicin. There were no fatalities, nor were there any major toxicities. We conclude that the combination of ticarcillin-clavulanate and gentamicin is an effective initial empirical therapy for febrile neutropenic children with cancer. Gram-positive pathogens are the usual cause of breakthrough bacteremia in this clinical setting of central line usage, and associated morbidity and mortality from these organisms are low.     

Half a decade of neonatal sepsis, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

In a retrospective study to determine the pattern of neonatal sepsis, all cases admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between October 1983 and July 1988 at King Khalid University Hospital, in Riyadh were studied. During the review period there were a total of 2117 admissions to the NICU. Of those 1252 (59 per cent) underwent septic screening sometimes during their stay in the NICU. The number of babies with proven bacteremia, i.e.; positive blood and or cerebrospinal fluid culture was 190 (15 per cent). Gram-positive organisms were cultured from 132 (69 per cent) and Gram-negative organisms from 47 (25 per cent) of the babies. The single most frequent organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis accounting for 36 per cent (58/190) of all proven cases. These results differ appreciably from other studies reported previously from Riyadh as well as from some other parts of the world, and stress the need to recognize Staphylococcus epidermidis as an increasingly important pathogen in the newborn nursery.     

The bacteriology of neonatal septicaemia in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

The incidence of septicaemia among neonates categorized as being at high risk was 55 per cent in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Gram-positive organisms, specifically Staphylococcus aureus, were predominant (33.8 per cent) among bacteria cultured from proven cases of septicaemia. Other coagulase-negative staphylococci also contributed 21 per cent, with Staphylococcus epidermidis occurring in 5 per cent of the isolates. Listeria monocytogenes was cultured from 8.4 per cent of septic neonates. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultured from 3 per cent, Klebsiella pneumoniae from 14 per cent, and Escherichia coli from 7 per cent. Other Gram-negative bacilli cultured were Enterobacter aerogenes (5 per cent), Citrobacter freundii, Salmonella sp., and Proteus sp. (2 per cent each). The bacterial isolates were relatively resistant to antibiotics traditionally employed to treat cases of septicaemia. The study shows a high prevalence of neonatal bacterial sepsis at the centre and the emerging role of Listeria monocytogenes in the aetiology of neonatal sepsis. It highlights the preponderance of multiple antibiotic resistant organisms among these neonates early in life which is of epidemiological importance in the control of the infectious agents.     

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??Objective To analyse the pathogen distribution and drug resistance status in 268 cases of neonatal sepsis. Methods Totally 268 cases of neonatal sepsis were chosen who had been hospitalized between 2010 and 2015 with blood culture being positive. They were divided into early-onset and late-onset sepsis groups and their clinical characteristics??pathogen distribution and drug resistance were explored. Results The gram-negative bacteria were the major pathogens early-onset sepsis group??58.3%????in which escherichia coli was 31.2% and klebsiella pneumoniae was 23.9%. Gram-positive bacteria were the major pathogen in late-onset sepsis group??65.1%????in which coagulase negative staphylococcus was 46.5% and excrement enterococcus was 11.6%. Gram-positive bacteria were sensitive to vancomycin with durg resistance rate ??90% to penicillin????80% to erythromycin????60% to clindamycin??ampicillin and cefazolin . Gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to meropenem. Gram-negative bacteria showed high resistance to ampicillin??piperacillin and cefotaxime??but low resistance to ceftazidime and cefoperazone. Conclusion The common pathogens and clinical characteristics are different in the early-onset and late-onset sepsis groups. It is important to choose reasonable antibiotic drugs and strengthen drug resistance surveillance.     

小儿尿路感染病原菌分布及耐药性分析

目的探讨小儿尿路感染的常见病原菌并分析其耐药情况。方法回顾性分析2018年1月至12月我院收治的108例尿培养阳性的尿路感染患儿的临床资料,分析其病原菌及抗菌药物耐药情况,并将患儿分为单纯尿路感染组(29例)和复杂尿路感染组(79例),对比两组革兰阴性菌耐药情况。结果共检出116株细菌,其中革兰阴性菌90株(77.59%),革兰阳性菌26株(22.41%)。其中大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、屎肠球菌为主要病原菌。革兰阴性菌对阿米卡星、亚胺培南、哌拉西林/他唑巴坦耐药率最低,在10%左右;对呋喃妥因、喹诺酮类药物耐药率在20%左右;对三、四代头孢菌素及其含酶抑制剂耐药率在30%~40%;未发现对万古霉素、利奈唑胺耐药的革兰阳性菌。革兰阳性菌对链霉素、呋喃妥因耐药率在0~20%。单纯尿路感染组与复杂尿路感染组中的革兰阴性菌对常见抗生素耐药率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论革兰阴性菌是尿路感染的主要病原菌,随着耐药情况的改变,可能需要改变经验性抗感染药物,呋喃妥因可以作为轻症患儿经验性应用的推荐,既往可能低估了单纯尿路感染病原耐药情况,需进一步研究。     

Neonatal sepsis and meningitis in Haiti

The aim of the study was to determine the etiology of meningitis and sepsis in the newborn at the State University Hospital of Haiti and evaluate the susceptibility 'in vitro' of the pathogens to the antibiotics commonly used. This was a prospective case series study over a 10-month period (May 1997-February 1998) of 42 newborns with sepsis and/or meningitis. Besides the clinical signs, a positive blood culture and/or a positive culture of cerebrospinal fluid was present in each case. Gram-negative bacteria were most commonly found as a cause of early onset sepsis, with Enterobacter aerogenes as the most common agent. There were no such difference between gram-negative and gram-positive in late onset sepsis. Group B Streptococcus was associated with neonatal meningitis (44 per cent of cases) which was more related to gram-positive bacteria (66 per cent). Risk factors were vaginal discharge and dysuria in mothers, and low apgar score in newborns. Thirty-three per cent of the pathogens found, among them Klebsiella pneumoniae, were resistant 'in vitro' to ampicillin and gentamycin. All were susceptible to amikacin. Enterobacter aerogenes is an important pathogen in the etiology of early onset sepsis in the newborn at the State University Hospital of Haiti, while Group B Streptococcus is the leading cause of meningitis in that age group. Resistance to gentamycin should be taken into consideration for the treatment of sepsis and meningitis in the newborn.     

Clinical features of neonatal sepsis caused by resistant Gram-negative bacteria

Background:  Clinical features and outcomes of neonatal sepsis caused by resistant Gram-negative bacteria are not well described in Jordan. The aim of the present study was therefore to describe microbiology and clinical features, laboratory findings and outcomes of early- and late-onset Gram-negative neonatal sepsis.
Methods:  All patients with Gram-negative bacteremia between July 2003 and June 2005 were retrospectively included. Resistance profiles, clinical features and outcomes of early and late-onset neonatal sepsis were compared.
Results:  A total of 79 patients (after excluding all nine cases of Gram-positive bloodstream infection (BSI) were identified as having Gram-negative BSI (25 had early-onset and 54 had late-onset neonatal sepsis). Respiratory distress, metabolic acidosis and requirement of ventilation were found in 74.7%, 40.5%, and 58.2%, respectively. Hypotension was found in 22.9% of patients. Klebsiella pneumoniae was responsible for 43 cases (54.4.2%). Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance rates to ampicillin and ceftazidime were 100% and 50%, respectively. Mortality rate was 30.9%. Forty-eight percent of deaths occurred within 3 days of sepsis. Meningitis was diagnosed in five cases. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and thrombocytopenia were seen in 28% and 24% of infants with early-onset sepsis, respectively, and in 79.6%, 59.3% of infants with late-onset sepsis respectively.
Conclusion:  Both early- and late-onset neonatal sepsis are caused by highly resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Mortality of sepsis is high. Elevated CRP and thrombocytopenia is seen more commonly in late-onset neonatal sepsis.     

Granulocyte transfusions in infected neutropenic children with malignancies.

Thirty-six febrile neutropenic episodes were treated by granulocyte transfusions in 33 children. Septicemia and mucous membrane ulcerations were most commonly associated with the fever. Infection cleared in 81% of the episodes, eight per cent ended in death from bacterial infections, 11% from nonbacterial infections or hemorrhage. The median number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes given was 1.1 X 10(10)/m2/transfusion. Two to twenty-eight (median 8.5) transfusions were given over 3--34 days (median 10.5). The source of cells (parental or random) and the method of collection did not seem to affect the outcome. None of the 23 patients whose marrow recovered during the transfusions died of bacterial infections. Infection cleared even without marrow recovery in 62% of the patients, but then only 25% lived for more than two months after clearing of sepsis. In a subgroup of patients with nonlymphoblastic leukemia on the same chemotherapy and antibiotic treatment protocol, 8/11 (73%) survived bacteremia when white cell support was available; only 2/11 (18%) of a historical control group survived when such support was not available. Granulocyte support appears to be a valuable tool in helping neutropenic patients overcome their infections or, at the very least, helping them survive long enough for normal marrow recovery to occur.     

Granulocyte transfusions in infected neutropenic children with malignancies

Thirty-six febrile neutropenic episodes were treated by granulocyte transfusions in 33 children. Septicemia and mucous membrane ulcerations were most commonly associated with the fever. Infection cleared in 81% of the episodes, eight per cent ended in death from bacterial infections, 11% from nonbacterial infections or hemorrhage. The median number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes given was 1.1 × 10¹⁰/m²/transfusion. Two to twenty-eight (median 8.5) transfusions were given over 3–34 days (median 10.5). The source of cells (parental or random) and the method of collection did not seem to affect the outcome. None of the 23 patients whose marrow recovered during the transfusions died of bacterial infections. Infection cleared even without marrow recovery in 62% of the patients, but then only 25% lived for more than two months after clearing of sepsis. In a subgroup of patients with nonlymphoblastic leukemia on the same chemotherapy and antibiotic treatment protocol, 8/11 (73%) survived bacteremia when white cell support was available; only 2/11 (18%) of a historical control group survived when such support was not available. Granulocyte support appears to be a valuable tool in helping neutropenic patients overcome their infections or, at the very least, helping them survive long enough for normal marrow recovery to occur.     

早产儿晚发型败血症危险因素及病原学分析

目的探讨早产儿晚发型败血症的危险因素及病原学特点。方法选择2012年1~12月入住我院新生儿科确诊或临床诊断晚发型败血症的早产儿为观察组,同期入住未并发败血症的早产儿为对照组。回顾性分析比较两组患儿的临床资料,以及血培养检出的病原菌分布情况和药敏情况。结果观察组60例,对照组290例。单因素分析显示出生胎龄≤32周、体重〈1500 g、小于胎龄儿（SGA）、胎膜早破、胃管留置时间〉14天、经外周中心静脉置管（PICC）、胃肠外营养时间〉14天、并发坏死性小肠结肠炎（NEC）、并发巨细胞病毒（CMV）感染、新生儿重症监护室（NICU）住院时间〉5天与早产儿晚发型败血症的发生有关（P〈0.05）。Logistic回归分析显示,出生胎龄≤32周（OR=2.710,95%CI：1.200~6.121）、SGA（OR=4.114,95%CI：1.635~10.354）、PICC置管（OR=2.485,95%CI：1.178~5.239）、并发NEC（OR=15.270,95%CI：5.058~46.100）、CMV感染（OR=20.130,95%CI：5.279~76.754）为早产儿晚发型败血症的独立危险因素。观察组中20例血培养阳性,培养出革兰阴性菌13株（65%）,其中肺炎克雷伯菌10株（50%）、大肠埃希菌2株（10%）、产酸克雷伯菌1株（5%）;革兰阳性菌2株（10%）,均为表皮葡萄球菌;真菌5株（25%）,其中近平滑假丝酵母菌4株（20%）,白色念珠菌1株（5%）。13株革兰阴性菌有10株为产超广谱β内酰胺酶（ESBLS）菌株,其中8株为肺炎克雷伯菌。结论出生胎龄≤32周、SGA、PICC置管、并发NEC、CMV感染为早产儿晚发型败血症的危险因素,肺炎克雷伯菌是最主要的致病菌,耐药性强,其次是近平滑假丝酵母菌。     

Postoperative mediastinitis in children: epidemiology, microbiology and risk factors for Gram-negative pathogens

BACKGROUND: Mediastinitis, although an infrequent complication of median sternotomy, represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and describe the epidemiology and microbiology of mediastinitis in children after cardiac surgery and to identify risk factors for the development of Gram-negative mediastinitis. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective case-control study nested within the cohort of children, birth to 18 years of age, undergoing median sternotomy between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2003. RESULTS: Forty-three cases of mediastinitis were identified. The incidence of mediastinitis was 1.4%. Median patient age at time of inciting sternotomy was 32 days (interquartile range, 5 days-9 months). Twenty-three (54%) cases occurred in girls. Median time to onset of infection after surgery was 11 days (range, 4-34 days). Overall Gram-positive organisms were present in 29 (67%) cases, and Gram-negative organisms were present in 13 (30%) cases. The organisms most commonly isolated from mediastinal culture were Staphylococcus aureus (46%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (17%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17%). The rate of concurrent bacteremia was 53% (95% confidence interval, 38-69%). In multivariable analysis, delayed sternal closure was an independent risk factor for the development of Gram-negative mediastinitis (odds ratio, 9.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-56.8; P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Although Gram-positive organisms were the most common cause of infection, Gram-negative organisms accounted for one-third of all isolates. More than one-half of patients with mediastinitis had concurrent bacteremia. Delayed sternal closure was an independent risk factor for Gram-negative mediastinitis.     

Low incidence of sepsis due to viridans streptococci in a ten-year retrospective study of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

BACKGROUND: Infections remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and particularly viridans group streptococci (VGS) sepsis. The present study, conducted between 1993 and 2003 in children with AML, sought to assess the frequency and characteristics of infectious complications (ICs), the incidence of VGS sepsis, the interest of preventive decontamination, and a possible cytarabine dose-effect on the occurrence of ICs. METHODS: Medical charts of 78 children treated according to the EORTC 58921 clinical trial were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were isolated in laminar air flow rooms, received non-absorbable gut decontamination, gum decontamination with vancomycin mouthwash, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole. ICs were categorized as microbiologically documented infections (MDI), clinically documented infections (CDI), or fever of unknown origin (FUO). RESULTS: Overall, 268 ICs occurred: 57.5% FUO, 8.5% CDI, and 34% MDI. Bloodstream infections occurred in 58 febrile episodes: Gram-positive bacteria represented 83% of the pathogens including 66.1% Staphylococcus species and 8.5% Streptococcus species (6.8% VGS), Gram-negative bacteria represented 13.5% of the pathogens and yeasts 3.5%. Five patients died of infection (6.4%). None died from bacterial infection and no case of VGS sepsis required intensive care. Invasive fungal infection was proven in four patients. Number of ICs was significantly different according to gum and gut decontamination status, and according to the cytarabine dose during the first intensification. No resistant strains were detected in spite of the use of local antibiotics. CONCLUSION: The low rate of VGS and enterobacteriaceae sepsis was probably due to the effective decontamination. Our supportive care strategy could potentially help enhance overall survival in children with AML.     

Coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteremia in severely malnourished Jamaican children.

Immunosuppression increases the susceptibility to infection and changes the inflammatory response in children with severe protein-energy malnutrition. In this 5-year prospective study bacteremia was documented in 16% of 336 severely malnourished children, 2 to 34 months of age, who were hospitalized consecutively in the Tropical Metabolism Research Unit, Kingston, Jamaica. The 53 children had 60 episodes of nosocomial and community-acquired bacteremia with 69 blood isolates. Community-acquired bacteremia accounted for 72% (43 of 60) of bacteremic episodes. Thirty-five percent (24 of 69) of the strains were coagulase-negative staphylococci, 19% (13 of 69) were Staphylococcus aureus and 11% (8 of 69) were Streptococcus Group D. Seventeen episodes of coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteremia were acquired in the community and 7 were nosocomial. These patients were more likely to have pneumonic consolidation than children with all other bacteremias combined (P < 0.02, Fisher's exact test). The bacteremia-related case fatality rate was 8% (5 of 60). Polymicrobial and Gram-negative septicemia were independent positive predictive factors for mortality when compared with single-agent and Gram-positive sepsis (P < 0.02). This 71% (49 of 69) prevalence of Gram-positive organisms suggests a change in the epidemiology from the predominant Gram-negative etiologies (76%) described in previous reports.     

Sepsis in children

BACKGROUND: Sepsis remains lethal to children. At our institution, we have noted that approximately 2% of all hospitalized patients have had sepsis. In the present study, we analyzed episodes of sepsis that occurred in our ward. METHODS: Sepsis that occurred in our institution between January 1984 and December 1998 was reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-six episodes of sepsis in 244 admitted patients were analyzed. Sepsis occurred in approximately 2% of all hospitalized patients. Forty-three of 244 patients were under 1 year of age. Eighty-seven percent (212/244) of cases had underlying diseases. Hematologic disorders or neoplasms were the most common underlying disease, comprising 55% of all patients (133/244). Two-hundred and fifty-one of 366 episodes of sepsis were acquired during hospitalization. We identified 409 causative agents. There were 25 polymicrobial infections (25/366; 7%). Gram-positive bacteria comprised 68% of all organisms (280/409). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism, comprising 18% of causing agents (75/409). Sixty-six organisms came from the insertion of a central venous catheter. Eighty-one patients experienced recurrent episodes of sepsis. In terms of complications, respiratory distress was the most common complication (36 episodes) and there were 15 episodes of shock. Thirty-seven patients died of sepsis. Sepsis caused by Gram-negative bacteria showed significantly higher mortality than Gram-positive bacteria (11/43 (26%) vs 15/146 (10%); P= 0.053). CONCLUSIONS: In our institution, approximately 20% of septic patients were under 1 year of age and 90% had underlying diseases. The causative agents of sepsis affected the outcome.     

Serum interleukin-1β in neonatal sepsis

Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in newborn infants with septicaemia were measured and possible relationships between the clinical course of the infants, causative micro-organisms and IL-1β levels were investigated in a prospective study. The study groups comprised 49 newborn infants (25 mature, 24 premature) with proven sepsis and 40 healthy newborn infants (20 mature, 20 premature). Serum IL-1β levels were measured using the IL-1β immunoradiometric assay. The levels were found to be lower in neonates with sepsis (median 0.1 pg/ml) than in healthy controls (median 27.9 pg/ml) ( p <0.001). Non-significant trends towards lower levels were observed in children with shock and in non-survivors. No correlation was found between IL-1β and postnatal age, gestational age or the study weight of the patients. There was no significant difference in the serum IL-1β level in septic patients infected with Gram-positive bacteria and those infected with Gram-negative bacteria. The results show that the concentration of IL-1β is significantly decreased in preterm and term neonates with sepsis.     

Management of septic complications associated with Silastic catheters in childhood malignancy

From January, 1979, to December, 1984, 63 Hickman or Broviac catheters were inserted into 50 high risk pediatric oncology patients (median age, 37 months). Catheters remained in place for an average of 241 days. Possible catheter sepsis and exit site infection accounted for the majority (39 of 76) of the complications of long term central venous catheterization. Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count under 500/mm3) was associated with 70% of the catheter-related infections and 75% of the non-catheter-related infections. Catheters inserted during neutropenic episodes (23) were associated with an increased risk of subsequent septicemia (60% vs. 25%), a finding apparently related to their exposure to further neutropenia (38% vs. 16% catheter days). Of the 32 episodes of septicemia of unknown origin, 19 involved Gram-negative bacteria, 14 involved Gram-positive bacteria and 4 were caused by fungi. Five of these episodes involved multiple organisms. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common Gram-positive organism isolated (7 of 14). Four episodes of septicemia resolved before therapy and are considered false positive cultures. Of the other 28 episodes of septicemia, 25 (89%) were successfully treated without catheter removal including 3 episodes of fungemia and 4 of multiple organism sepsis. These data demonstrate the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment without catheter removal in the pediatric oncology population with catheter-associated infections including those associated with neutropenia, multiple organisms and fungemia.