Common Bacterial Infections of Surgical Importance

Abstract

Bacterial infections are the cause of significant mortality and morbidity in children. Infections of surgical importance may affect virtually any organ or tissue in the body. These may be community and hospital acquired. Among the community-acquired infections, the major groups are skin and soft tissue infections, bone infections, and infections of specific organs. Hospital-acquired infections may further be classified as infections of surgical wounds, infections in wards, and infections in immunocompromised and critically ill patients. Bacterial infections are more common at extreme of ages, and thus small babies less than 2 months are highly susceptible to acquire bacterial infection. Other conditions like malnutrition, immune-deficiency states, and prolonged illnesses make the children more susceptible to acquire infections. Skin and soft tissue infections are better described according to the depth of tissue involved. Common soft tissue infections in children are impetigo, scalded skin syndrome, folliculitis, furuncle or boil, carbuncle, erysipelas, necrotizing fasciitis, clostridial myonecrosis (gas gangrene), non-clostridial myonecrosis, synergistic gangrenes, lymphadenitis, and abscesses. Besides these ear and throat infections and infections of specific system like urinary tract infections and bone infections, respiratory tract infections may be important in the management of pediatric surgical patients. Tuberculosis is again emerging as a major health hazard in some countries. The end result of bacterial infection may be simple cellulitis to abscess formation and generalized sepsis. Due to excessive and improper use of antibiotics, drug resistance has become a major issue and is responsible for serious bacterial infections and related complications in some children.