Bacteriologic study of paronychia in children

Abstract

Pus specimens from 33 children with paronychia of the finger were studied using aerobic and anaerobic techniques. Anaerobic organisms were isolated in pure culture in 9 patients (27 percent) and aerobes only in 9 patients (27 percent); mixed aerobic and anaerobic flora was present in 15 patients (46 percent). A total of 118 isolates were recovered, accounting for 3.6 isolates per specimen. The predominant anaerobic organisms were Bacteroides species, gram-positive anaerobic cocci, Fusobacterium species and Bifidobacterium species. The predominant aerobic organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, gamma hemolytic streptococci, Eikenella corrodens, group A beta hemolytic streptococci, alpha hemolytic streptococci, Klebseilla pneumoniae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae. Candida albicans was recovered in 6 instances. Seventeen beta lactamase-producing organisms were recovered from 15 children (45 percent). The study demonstrates the mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology of paronychia in pediatric patients.