High Risk For Bacteremia Research Articles

Predictive Value of Interleukin-5 and Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 for Bacteremia in Children With Febrile Neutropenia

A variety of clinical and laboratory parameters have been used to predict bacteremia. We hypothesize that the generation of a cytokine profile could be used to identify patients at higher risk of bacteremia at the time of presentation with febrile neutropenia. We prospectively evaluated children with cancer who presented with an episode of febrile neutropenia. A multiplexed flow cytometric assay was performed which measured 15 cytokines and chemokines obtained before the initiation of antibiotics. Fifty-eight episodes of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia were included in this study during which 4 patients (7%) had bacteremia. An interleukin-5 level of >8 pg/dL had a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 96% to predict bacteremia. An monocyte chemotactic protein-1 level >1650 pg/dL had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 82% to predict bacteremia. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, protein C, and other cytokines/chemokines were not predictive of bacteremia. Elevations of interleukin-5 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 are predictive of bacteremia in children with cancer who have febrile neutropenia. Prospective studies should be undertaken to determine whether these parameters retain predictive value in a larger series of patients and can select children for outpatient management or early discharge.

Alta incidencia de bacteriemia por bacilos gramnegativos en pacientes con hipertensión pulmonar tratados con treprostinil por vía intravenosa

IntroductionAn excessive risk for bacteremia has recently been reported in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treated with intravenous treprostinil. We aimed to assess this association in a cohort of patients from a Spanish referral center. Patients and methodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study that included 55 patients diagnosed with PAH who received a continuous intravenous infusion of a prostanoid (epoprostenol or treprostinil) for ≥1month at our center between January 1991 and December 2011. The risk factors associated with the incidence of bacteremia were analyzed with the log-rank test. ResultsAfter a total follow-up of 64,453 treatment days, we found 12 episodes of bacteremia: Staphylococcus aureus (5 episodes), non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli (4 episodes), other gram-positive cocci (2 episodes), and Enterobacter cloacae (one episode). The incidence of bacteremia was 0.118 episodes per 1,000 treatment days in patients receiving epoprostenol versus 0.938 episodes per 1,000 treatment-days in patients receiving treprostinil (P=.0037). All episodes of bacteremia due to Gram-negative bacilli were diagnosed in patients on treprostinil. In the univariate analysis the treatment with intravenous treprostinil was associated with the incidence of bacteremia (hazard ratio: 4.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.24-14.53), although the low number of events prevented us from performing a multivariate analysis. ConclusionsTherapy with intravenous treprostinil is associated with a higher risk for bacteremia, especially due to non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli. This association should be taken in consideration when choosing empirical antibiotic therapy for patients with PAH and sepsis.

A simple model to predict bacteremia in women with acute pyelonephritis

To construct a simple model to predict bacteremia in women with uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis (APN) for the judicious use of blood cultures. A prospective database including 735 women with uncomplicated APN at an academic urban emergency department was analyzed retrospectively. Independent risk factors were determined using multivariate logistic regression in two-thirds of patients. Cutoff values representing 10% and 30% of risk were selected for the stratification. This model was internally and externally validated using a remaining one-thirds of patients and 169 independent patients, respectively. Independent risk factors were as follows: age ≥65 years (odds ratio [OR]=5.18, 4 points), vomiting (OR=2.40, 2 points), heart rate >110 beats/min (OR=2.35, 2 points), segmented neutrophils >90% (OR=3.17, 3 points), and urine WBC ≥50/HPF (OR=4.27, 4 points). Patients were stratified as low (points <4), intermediate (points, 4-6), or high risk (7≤ points). The areas under receiver operating characteristics curves were 0.707 and 0.792 in internal and external validation cohorts, respectively. The model stratified internal and external validation cohort into low (8.5% and 5.7%), intermediate (16.5% and 14.8%), and high risk of bacteremia (42.0% and 56.4%). This model provides a useful tool to predict the risk of bacteremia, which can be helpful to decide whether to perform blood cultures and whether to admit the patient for the intravenous antibiotics in women with uncomplicated APN.

Predictive model for bacteremia in adult patients with blood cultures performed at the emergency department: A preliminary report

Useful predictive models for identifying patients at high risk of bacteremia at the emergency department (ED) are lacking. This study attempted to provide useful predictive models for identifying patients at high risk of bacteremia at the ED. A prospective cohort study was conducted at the ED of a tertiary care hospital from October 1 to November 30, 2004. Patients aged 15 years or older, who had at least two sets of blood culture, were recruited. Data were analyzed on selected covariates, including demographic characteristics, predisposing conditions, clinical presentations, laboratory tests, and presumptive diagnosis, at the ED. An iterative procedure was used to build up a logistic model, which was then simplified into a coefficient-based scoring system. A total of 558 patients with 84 episodes of true bacteremia were enrolled. Predictors of bacteremia and their assigned scores were as follows: fever greater than or equal to 38.3°C [odds ratio (OR), 2.64], 1 point; tachycardia greater than or equal to 120/min (OR, 2.521), 1 point; lymphopenia less than 0.5×10(3)/μL (OR, 3.356), 2 points; aspartate transaminase greater than 40IU/L (OR, 2.355), 1 point; C-reactive protein greater than 10mg/dL (OR, 2.226), 1 point; procalcitonin greater than 0.5 ng/mL (OR, 3.147), 2 points; and presumptive diagnosis of respiratory tract infection (OR, 0.236), -2 points. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the original logistic model and the simplified scoring model using the aforementioned seven predictors and their assigned scores were 0.854 (95% confidence interval, 0.806-0.902) and 0.845 (95% confidence interval, 0.798-0.894), respectively. This simplified scoring system could rapidly identify high-risk patients of bacteremia at the ED.

Factors associated with positive blood cultures in outpatients with suspected bacteremia

Blood cultures are routinely taken in outpatients with fever and suspected bacterial infections. However, in the majority of cases, they are not informative and of limited value for clinical decision making. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate factors associated with positive blood cultures in outpatients presenting to an outpatient clinic and emergency room. This was a case-control study of all outpatients with positive blood cultures from January 1, 2006 to October 31, 2007 and matched control patients with negative blood cultures in the same time period. Microbiology results and medical charts were reviewed to determine factors associated with positive blood cultures. The presence of a systemic inflammation response syndrome (SIRS) (OR 2.7, 95% Cl 1.0-7.2) and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR 1.1 per 10mg/l, 95% Cl 1.0-1.2) were the most powerful predictive values for the development of positive blood cultures. In positive cases serum albumin was lower (35mg/l versus 39mg/l) than in controls. SIRS, increasing CRP and low albumin were associated with positive blood cultures in outpatients. With simple clinical assessment and few laboratory tests indicative of infection, it is possible to define a group at higher risk for bacteremia in outpatients.

The Incidence of Acquired Urinary Tract Infections in Patients After Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors

Introduction: Transurethral resection (TUR) of bladder tumors is surgical treatment for visible tumors of the urinary bladder and is performed to remove the tumor and take samples for histopathological examination in order to determine the stage and tumor grade. Transurethral resection of prostate tumors (TURBT) is a surgical procedure that is performed daily at the Clinic for Urology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo (CCUS). As for all other endoscopic urology procedure, typically urine must be sterile preoperatively. Patients with preoperative asymptomatic bacteriuria have a high risk of bacteremia and sepsis. In urological guidelines, antibiotic prophylaxis in TURBT is only given in cases of high risk patients, and necrotic tumors. Methodology: The study was conducted as a retrospective study which included patients underwent surgical treatment–TURBT and who underwent preoperative urine tests and postoperatively the clinical manifestation of UTI, urine cultures were isolated, and in case of the clinical indications also the blood culture. Included are only patients with preoperative sterile urine findings. The source of data was history of the disease. Results: From the 512 patients which underwent TURBT in 159 cases (31.0%) patients did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis and 353 (68.9%) patients received antibiotic prophylaxis. The first group of patients which did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis in 22 cases (14%) patients developed symptomatic urinary tract infection confirmed by urine culture and in 5 (3.1%) patient with blood culture was proven bacteraemia. In the second group of patients who received prophylactic antibiotic therapy in 78 cases (22%) patients developed a urinary infection and in 2 cases (0.57%) patients bacteremia was detected in blood culture. Conclusion: With regard to the set goals we have prove the incidence of urinary infection after performing TUR of bladder tumors in our Clinic.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-kappa β (NF-κB) activation is protective but is decreased in the cholestatic liver with endotoxemia

Obstructive jaundice (OJ) is an important clinical consideration associated with a high risk of bacteremia. Hepatocyte nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation confers an antiapoptotic function. Although the occurrence of hepatocyte apoptosis has been shown in OJ, the activation and role of NF-kappaB over the time course of OJ in conjunction with endotoxemia have not yet been well defined. We hypothesized that NF-kappaB activation may be decreased over the time course of OJ and endotoxemia, which leads to severe liver injury. The aim of the current study was to examine whether NF-kappaB activation can decrease hepatocyte apoptosis and liver injury over the time course of OJ in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to bile duct ligation and were administered LPS intravenously at 3 days (OJ3) or 14 days (OJ14) after bile duct ligation. NF-kappaB activation; protein expressions of NF-kappaB p65, IkappaB-alpha, Ikappabeta-b, and Pin1; immunohistochemistry of poly adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose polymerase p85 fragment (PARP); and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were examined. Hepatocyte NF-kappaB activation was observed during OJ. After LPS administration, the hepatic NF-kappaB activation defined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay was decreased in the OJ14 group compared with the OJ3 group, which is consistent with a decrease in NF-kappaB p65 protein expression. Changes in phosphorylated Ikappa-B-beta but not phosphorylated IkappaB-alpha mirrored these results. Significant hepatocyte apoptosis defined by PARP immunohistochemistry was observed in the LPS-treated OJ14 relative to the LPS-treated OJ3. Hepatic expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the LPS OJ14 mice were upregulated relative to those in the LPS OJ3. Serum ALT levels increased significantly in the LPS OJ14 relative to other mice. The survival rate was significantly less in the LPS OJ14 relative to other mice. After prolonged OJ, exposure to endotoxemia was associated with a decrease in hepatocyte NF-kappaB activation and an increase in hepatocyte apoptosis and secondary necrosis, thus resulting in liver dysfunction.

Emesis predicts bacteremia in immunocompromised children with central venous catheters and fever

The objective of this study was to determine whether vomiting at presentation of a febrile illness in immunocompromised children with central venous catheters (CVCs) predicts bacteremia. A chart review was conducted of children who were admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of cancer or aplastic anemia, fever, and a CVC. Data were collected on the presence or absence of vomiting, catheter type, presence or absence of severe neutropenia, C-reactive protein (Crp) value, and culture results. There were 143 admissions for fever among 48 children. Among 35 admissions with emesis, 19 included bacteremia; whereas, among 107 admissions without emesis, 19 included bacteremia (P < .001). There was a 5-fold greater risk of bacteremia in children with children without vomiting (odds ratio, 5.50; 95% confidence interval, 2.20-13.67). Gram-negative organisms were more likely to be associated with vomiting than Gram-positive organisms (P = .008). Children with severe neutropenia did not have a significantly higher rate of bacteremia than children who had neutrophil counts >500 cells/mm(3). Other factors that were associated with higher rates of bacteremia were underlying diagnosis and catheter type. Immunocompromised children with a CVC and a fever who presented with vomiting were more likely to have bacteremia than similar children who presented without vomiting. Gram-negative organisms were more likely to be associated with emesis than Gram-positive organisms. The absence of severe neutropenia was not associated with a decreased likelihood of bacteremia. These findings may be useful in identifying children who are at high risk for bacteremia and in determining initial, empiric therapy.

Polymorphisms in innate immunity genes predispose to bacteremia and death in the medical intensive care unit*

Critically ill patients are at risk of sepsis, organ failure, and death. Studying the impact of genetic determinants may improve our understanding of the pathophysiology and allow identification of patients who would benefit from specific treatments. Our aim was to study the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in selected genes involved in innate immunity on the development of bacteremia or risk of death in patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit. DNA was available from 774 medical intensive care unit patients. We selected 31 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 14 genes involved in host innate immune defense. Serum levels of MASP2 and chemotactic capacity, phagocytosis, and killing capacity of monocytes at admission were quantified. Univariate Kaplan-Meier estimates with log-rank analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Bootstrap resampling technique and ten-fold cross-validation were used to assess replication stability, prognostic importance of the variables, and repeatability of the final regression model. Patients with at least one NOD2 variant were shown to have a reduced phagocytosis by monocytes (p = 0.03) and a higher risk of bacteremia than wild-type patients (p = 0.02). The NOD2/TLR4 combination was associated with bacteremia using survival analyses (time to bacteremia development, log-rank p < 0.0001), univariate regression (p = 0.0003), and multivariate regression analysis (odds ratio [OR] 4.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.85-9.81; p = 0.0006). Similarly, the same combination was associated with hospital mortality using survival analysis (log-rank p = 0.03), univariate regression (p = 0.02), and multivariate regression analysis (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.09-4.74; p = 0.03). Also variants in the MASP2 gene were significantly associated with hospital mortality (survival analysis log-rank-p = 0.003; univariate regression p = 0.02; multivariate regression analysis OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.38-3.99; p = 0.002). Functional polymorphisms in genes involved in innate immunity predispose to severe infections and death, and may become part of a risk model, allowing identification of patients at risk, who could benefit from early introduction of specific preventive or therapeutic interventions.

Trends in Bacteremia in the Pre- and Post-Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Era Among HIV-Infected Children in the US Perinatal AIDS Collaborative Transmission Study (1986–2004)

HIV-infected children are at high risk for bacteremia. Highly active antiretroviral therapy has reduced rates of opportunistic infections; less is known about its effect on pediatric bacteremia rates. Thus, we sought to determine its impact on bacteremia incidence in HIV-infected children. Children born during 1986-1998 were followed until 2004 in the Perinatal AIDS Collaborative Transmission Study. We determined the pre- and post-highly active antiretroviral therapy (before and after January 1, 1997) incidence of bacteremia among HIV-infected children and characterized the CD4% temporal declines and mortality among patients with and those without incident bacteremias. Among 364 children, 68 had 118 documented bacteremias, 97 before and 21 after January 1, 1997. Streptococcus pneumoniae constituted 56 (58%) pre- and 13 (62%) post-highly active antiretroviral therapy cases. The incidence rate ratio of bacteremias comparing post- versus pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy was 0.3 overall and 0.2, 0.2, and 0.4 among children aged 0 to 24, 25 to 48, and 49 to 72 months, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis for time to first bacteremia in children born during the pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy compared with the post-highly active antiretroviral therapy era revealed that 69% and 94%, respectively, remained bacteremia free at a median follow-up of 6 years. The Cox proportional hazards model also showed a significant reduction of bacteremias in the post-highly active antiretroviral therapy era, even after controlling for gender and race. Among children <6 years of age, those who experienced bacteremia had faster temporal CD4% decline than those who never had bacteremia. Survival analysis revealed that HIV-infected children with bacteremia experienced higher overall mortality when controlling for gender, race, and clinic site. A significant decrease in bacteremia incidence and a prolongation in the time to first bacteremia incident were seen in the post-highly active antiretroviral therapy era. Children with a steeper decline of CD4 T cells were more likely to develop bacteremia. Children who experienced bacteremia had an associated higher mortality than their bacteremia-free counterparts.

Risks of Infection from Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

The occurrence of bacteremia during gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic procedures has been reported in numerous studies, although it is usually transient and clinically significant infectious complications are uncommon. Although reports of infectious endocarditis (IE) associated with endoscopy are extremely rare, antibiotic prophylaxis has historically been recommended for susceptible patients undergoing procedures with a high risk of bacteremia. Recent guidelines from the American Heart Association no longer recommend the use of prophylactic antibiotics for prevention of IE during GI endoscopy. This article will review the risk of bacteremia associated with various gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, and discuss the rationale for antibiotic prophylaxis recommendations.

Comparison of Infectious Complications between Incident Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

The impact of dialysis modality on infection, especially early in the course of dialysis, has not been well studied. This study compared infection between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) from the start of dialysis and evaluated factors that have an impact on infection risk. In this observational cohort study, all incident dialysis patients (n = 181; HD 119 and PD 62) at a single center from 1999 to 2005 had data collected prospectively beginning day 1 of dialysis. Excluded were those with any previous ESRD therapy. Infection rates were evaluated using multivariate Poisson regression. Overall infection rates were similar (HD 0.77 versus PD 0.86/yr; P = 0.24). Only HD patients had bacteremia (0.16/yr), and only PD patients had peritonitis (0.24/yr). Bacteremia that occurred < or =90 d after start of HD was 0.44/yr, increased compared with overall rate of 0.16/yr (P < 0.004). HD catheters, used in 67% of patients who started HD, were associated with a strikingly increased rate of bacteremia. Peritonitis < or =90 d was 0.22/yr, no different from the overall rate. Modality was not an independent predictor of overall infections (PD versus HD: relative risk 1.30; 95% confidence interval 0.93 to 1.8; P = 0.12) using multivariate analysis. PD and HD patients had similar infection rates overall, but type of infection and risk over time varied. HD patients had an especially high risk for bacteremia in the first 90 d, whereas the risk for peritonitis for the PD cohort was not different over time. These results support the placement of permanent accesses (fistula or PD catheter) before the start of dialysis to avoid use of HD catheters.

Atendimento odontológico do paciente com diabetes melito: recomendações para a prática clínica

&lt;span class="texto"&gt;Diabetes melito (DM) abrange um grupo de distúrbios metabólicos que têm em comum a presença de hiperglicemia. Além das manifestações sistêmicas, o DM mal controlado apresenta importantes repercussões sobre a saúde oral (e.g., doença periodontal, xerostomia, hiposalivação, susceptibilidade a infecções, dificuldade de cicatrização). Este trabalho tem por objetivo destacar a importância do conhecimento básico do odontologista sobre DM e propor um protocolo de atendimento dentário para esses pacientes. A revisão bibliográfica foi realizada nos bancos de dados MEDLINE e LILACS, com pesquisa em artigos publicados nos últimos dez anos, a partir das palavras-chave: diabetes mellitus, dentistry, oral health e periodontal disease. Os resultados são estruturados em tópicos. Na primeira parte, são atualizadas informações sobre diagnóstico, manifestações clínicas, repercussões orais e tratamento do DM. Na segunda parte, propomos um protocolo de atendimento, no qual são discutidas, de modo didático (e.g., anamnese, exame físico, exames complementares, conduta), as dúvidas mais comuns em relação à consulta odontológica do diabético (e.g., profilaxia antibiótica em procedimentos com risco de bacteremia, uso de antiinflamatórios, sedativos e anestésicos com vasoconstrictores, tratamento paliativo versus definitivo, como proceder em casos de hipoglicemia e hiperglicemia, quando suspeitar de um DM não diagnosticado). Ao final, uma ficha clínica sumariza os principais aspectos da consulta odontológica do paciente diabético. Conclui-se que diabéticos bem controlados e sem complicações podem ser tratados de modo similar a não-diabéticos, para a maioria dos procedimentos de rotina. O cirurgião-dentista, em comunicação com o médico assistente, desempenha um importante papel na promoção e manutenção do bem-estar e qualidade de vida do paciente diabético.&lt;/span&gt;

Review On Prophylactic Antibiotics For Dental Patients With Prosthetic Joints

Most prosthetic joint infections originate from wound contamination or haematogenous seeding from distant sites of infection. Bacteraemia may follow dental treatment but there is little evidence of it related to prosthetic joint infection. Nevertheless, controversy continues with regards to the effect of dental treatment in patients with prosthetic joints. This article reviews current English literature regarding the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in the dental management of patients with prosthetic joints. Routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended for every patient with prosthetic joints when receiving dental treatments. However, antibiotic prophylaxis may be prescribed for high-risk groups with predisposing factors to infection when undergoing dental treatment with high risk of bacteraemia.

Cathéters d’épuration extra-rénale aiguë

Acute catheters for renal replacement therapy (RRT) are used for immediate vascular access in ICU patients with acute renal failure. Most acute catheters are made of poly-urethane, but silicone catheters are also available. The primary determinants of catheter blood flow are the diameter of the catheter and its tip placement. The subclavian insertion site should not be used in a patient who may need permanent vascular access. Femoral catheters seem to be associated with a higher risk of bacteremia than internal jugular catheters. Femoral placement demands a longer length catheter (≥20 cm) for a regular blood flow with limited recirculation. In general, catheter blood flow problems that occur early after placement are related to catheter position while those that occur late are related to thrombosis. Following its use, proper flushing and anticoagulation of the catheter with concentrated heparin or citrate will serve to decrease the risk of internal thrombosis.

Predictors of bacteremia in febrile children with sickle cell disease.

Bacteremia is an important cause of death and complications in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), yet predictors of bacteremia in these patients have not been well identified. The purpose of this study was to test whether clinical and hematologic variables commonly used to predict bacteremia in normal young children with fever could accurately predict bacteremia in febrile children with SCD. The authors reviewed the medical records of all patients with SCD younger than 18 years of age over a 10-year period at a single institution for febrile events. They tested the univariate associations of age, height of fever, white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and absolute band count (ABC) with bacteremia. Three separate multivariate analyses were performed using the predictor variables age, temperature, and one of three hematologic variables (ANC, WBC, or ABC) with the outcome bacteremia. There were 175 evaluable febrile events, of which 8 (4.6%) were associated with bacteremia. In the multivariate analyses, all hematologic variables, but not age or height of fever, retained significant associations with bacteremia. In febrile children with SCD, WBC, ANC, and ABC are all independently associated with bacteremia when adjusting for height of fever and age. Hematologic variables may be useful in developing prediction algorithms to identify febrile patients with SCD at higher risk of bacteremia. These data emphasize the need for a national trial to develop a predictive model with defined thresholds.

Risk of bacteremia from temporary hemodialysis catheters by site of insertion and duration of use: A prospective study

Uncuffed, nontunneled hemodialysis catheters remain the preferred means to gain immediate access to the circulation for hemodialysis. Bacteremia is the primary complication that limits their use. The risk of bacteremia by site of insertion and duration of use has not been well studied. Two hundred eighteen consecutive patients who required a temporary hemodialysis catheter were prospectively followed. Catheters were placed at 318 new insertion sites and remained in use for a total of 6235 days. The incidence of bacteremia was 5.4% after three weeks of placement in internal jugular vein and 10.7% after one week in femoral vein [relative risk for bacteremia 3.1 (95% CI, 1.8 to 5.2)]. The incidence of bacteremia was 1.9% one day after the onset of an exit site infection but increased to 13.4% by the second day if the catheter was not removed. Guidewire exchange for malfunction and patient factors did not significantly affect the risk of bacteremia. Internal jugular catheters may be left in place for up to three weeks without a high risk of bacteremia, but femoral catheters in bed-bound patients should be removed after one week. Catheter exchanges over a guidewire for catheter malfunction do not increase bacteremia rates. Temporary catheters should be removed immediately if an exit site infection occurs.

RISK OF LATE-ONSET BACTEREMIA DURING A FEBRILE EPISODE IN PEDIATRIC LIVER TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

81 Aim: To study the incidence of bacteremia during a febrile episode without a source in children after liver transplantation (LTx) and to recognize predictive risk factors. Methods: We reviewed the charts of all children admitted with fever at least two months after LTx from July 1993 to June 1997. We excluded patients with central venous catheters, known biliary strictures and/or drainage, chronic allograft rejection, end stage liver disease, known viral infections or chronic hepatitis. We compared the patients who had bacteremia against the patients without bacteremia. Results: There were 128 encounters in 71 patients. 11 encounters (8.6%) had bacteremia by Streptococcus pneumoniae (4), Escherichia coli (2), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2), Enterobacter aerogenes (2), and Staphylococcus aureus (1). No patient had more than one episode of bacteremia. There was no death. There was a statistical difference for the bacteremic group in ill- or toxic-appearance (p<0.001), lethargy (p<0.01), decreased activity and previous history of bacteremia within the first 2 months after LTx (p<0.05). For the non-bacteremic group there was a statistical difference for splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, dehydration and decreased capillary perfusion (p<0.001) and type of graft (whole liver) (p<0.05). There was no statistical difference between groups in age, race, sex, age at LTx, time after LTx, recent rejection episode, prior hospitalization, immunosuppression, temperature, days with fever or symptoms, ill contact, URI symptoms, abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, WBC, hemoglobin and liver function tests. The incidence of bacteremia was not statistically different when the < 3 years of life were compare to the older patients or when the < 1 year post-LTx were compare to the > 1 year post-LTx subjects. Conclusion: There was an increased incidence of bacteremia in children two months beyond LTx. No laboratory test could predict the risk of bacteremia. Patients who had a history of bacteremia within the first two months after LTx, reduced graft and decreased activity at encounter had higher risk of bacteremia. Patients who appeared ill or toxic and lethargic had also higher risk of developing bacteremia. Splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, dehydration and decreased capillary perfusion were more frequently found in patients without bacteremia most likely secondary to viral illnesses.

Positive intravenous line tip cultures as predictors of bacteraemia

Intravenous line tip cultures provide valuable information when taken in conjunction with blood culture, but in practice are often performed in isolation. This retrospective study has evaluated: (1) the frequency of isolated line tip culture; and (2) whether the species of microorganism isolated from line tip culture, using the Maki semi-quantitative culture method, is predictive of bacteraemia. Of 2753 line tip culture episodes in 1659 patients between May 1993 and August 1995, 2230 were performed in isolation (81%). Evaluation of 792 positive line tip culture episodes in 654 patients where blood cultures were performed in the period from 48 h before, to 24 h after tip culture, identified 825 line tip isolates. Of these, 194 were associated with a blood culture positive for the same species. The rate of positive blood culture, according to species, ranged from 10–72%. The highest rate was seen for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus where 70 of 97 line tip episodes (72%) were associated with positive blood culture. This compared with a rate of 17% for coagulase-negative staphylococci ( P < 0·0001). Patients with line tip cultures positive for S. aureus should be considered to be at high risk of bacteraemia.

Evaluation of a protocol for selective empiric treatment of fever without localising signs

A protocol for management of young febrile children at risk for bacteraemia has been used at Westmead Hospital, a university based hospital in the western Sydney region, since early 1994....