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Low diagnostic yield and time to diagnostic confirmation results in prolonged use of antimicrobials in critically ill children [version 2; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Clark, John 
White, Deborah 
Daubney, Esther 
Curran, Martin 
Bousfield, Rachel 

Abstract

Background: Broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy is a key driver of antimicrobial resistance. Here, we aimed to review indications for antimicrobial therapy, determine the proportion of suspected bacterial infections that are confirmed by culture, and assess the time taken for microbiology test results to become available in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: A single-centre prospective observational cohort study of 100 consecutive general PICU admissions from 30 October 2019 to 19 February 2020. Data were collected from the hospital medical record and entered into a study database prior to statistical analysis using standard methods. Results: Of all episodes of suspected infection, 22% of lower respiratory tract infection, 43% of bloodstream and 0% of central nervous system infection were associated with growth on microbiology culture. 90% of children received antimicrobial therapy. Hospital-acquired infection occurred less commonly than primary infection, but an organism was grown in a greater proportion (64%) of cultures. Final laboratory reports for negative cultures were issued at a median of 120.3 hours for blood cultures and 55.5 hours for endotracheal tube aspirate cultures. Conclusions: Despite most critically children receiving antimicrobial therapy, infection was often not microbiologically confirmed. Novel molecular diagnostics may improve rationalisation of treatment in this population.

Description

Funder: Action Medical Research; Grant(s):


Funder: Academy of Medical Sciences; Grant(s):


Funder: NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre; Grant(s):


Funder: Gates Cambridge Trust; Grant(s):

Keywords

3207 Medical Microbiology, 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 3202 Clinical Sciences, Antimicrobial Resistance, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Clinical Research, Patient Safety, Infectious Diseases, Infection, 3 Good Health and Well Being

Journal Title

Wellcome open research

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2398-502X
2398-502X

Volume Title

6

Publisher

F1000 Research Ltd
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (215515/Z/19/Z)
Medical Research Council (MR/N029399/1)