BACTERIAL SPECTRUM AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PATTERN IN PAEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS WITH FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA
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Keywords
Febrile Neutropenia, Pediatric Cancer, Bacterial Spectrum, Antimicrobial Resistance
Abstract
Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a significant complication in pediatric cancer patients, often leading to serious infections. Understanding the bacterial spectrum and antimicrobial resistance patterns is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies.
Objective: To investigate the bacterial isolates and their resistance patterns in pediatric cancer patients presenting with febrile neutropenia.
Methods: We conducted cross-sectional study involving 135 pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia at Department of Pediatric Foundation University School of Health Sciences, Islamabad. Clinical data, including demographics, presenting symptoms, and frequency of FN episodes, were analyzed. Blood cultures were performed, and bacterial isolates were identified. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using standard methods to determine resistance patterns.
Results: The study cohort consisted of 47% children aged 6-10 years, with a male predominance (56%). Leukemia was the most common cancer type (47.4%). All patients presented with fever; other symptoms included fatigue (63.7%), cough (36.3%), and abdominal pain (24.4%). Of the 78 positive blood cultures, Staphylococcus aureus (28.2%) was the most common gram-positive bacterium, exhibiting high resistance to penicillin (95%) and methicillin (60%). Among gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (25.6%) showed significant resistance to cephalosporins (90%) and aminoglycosides (35%). Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.5%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.0%) also demonstrated notable resistance patterns.
Conclusion: The findings highlight a concerning prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens in pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia. These results underscore the need for updated empirical treatment guidelines and enhanced infection control measures to address the evolving antimicrobial resistance landscape effectively. Further research is needed to develop targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Kiran Mushtaq Toor
MBBS, FCPS (Pediatric Medicine), Assistant Professor at Department of Pediatric Foundation University School of Health Sciences, Islamabad
Arooj Ali
MBBS, CRCP (M.Phil) Lecturer at Department of Pathology People University of Medical and Health Science for Women, Nawabshah
Rabail Bashir
MBBS, (M.Phil) Instructor at Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Nawabshah,
Santosh Kumar Sidhwani
Associate Professor Department of Pathology Mekran Medical College, Turbat,
Mahnaz Hakeem
MBBS, FCPS Pediatric Medicine Senior Registrar Paediatrics Shalamar Medical and dental College Lahore,
Muhammad Irfan
MBBS, FCPS Peads medicine Assistant Professor Paediatric Shahida Islam Medical College Lodhran