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Microbiological patterns of bacterial infections in tracheostomized children: Reducing uncertainty in continuous care

García-Boyano M, Alcalá FJC, Alonso AR, de Villalta MGF, Alonso OZ, Retolaza IR, Melero IQ, Calvo C et al.

Pediatric pulmonology, 2023

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Respiratory infections are the most frequent cause of hospitalization in tracheostomized children. However, there is a lack of publications to guide their management. The primary objective was to describe the microbiological isolates and their antibiotic susceptibilities of bacterial respiratory infections in a population of tracheostomized children.

METHODS: Retrospective follow-up study of children with tracheostomy seen at a tertiary hospital. Respiratory infection episodes in patients under 18 years of age who had a tracheostomy and bacterial isolation with a count ≥104 Colony Forming Units/mL in tracheal aspirate were included.

RESULTS: The study analyzed 328 respiratory infection episodes: 164 tracheobronchitis (50%), 112 nonspecific respiratory episodes (34.1%), and 52 pneumonias (15.9%). The most commonly isolated microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibiotics that exhibited the highest effectiveness were meropenem (92%), imipenem (87%), and levofloxacin (86%). When hospitalization exceeded 7 days, there was a higher chance of isolating Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), as well as an increased rate of multidrug resistance (27% vs. 7%, p = 0.035). In 75.3% of cases, the microorganism had been previously isolated in a sample taken 7-30 days before the current one, with a higher frequency observed in the case of P. aeruginosa (95.2%)…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence.

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