Bacterial profile, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and associated risk factors among children suspected for septicemia at St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Date

2025-07

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

Background: Septicemia in children is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. As a result, the goal of this study was to find bacterial etiologies, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles, and risk factors for septicemia and mortality in children aged 5 to 14. Methods: Between August and December 2021, a hospital-based cross-sectional study was undertaken at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College. Each patient's socio-demographic and clinical information was gathered using a pre-designed questionnaire. A blood sample was taken aseptically from each patient and inoculated into Trypto Soya Broth. Each blood culture bottle was aerobically incubated for 7 days in a row. Blood agar, chocolate agar, and MacConkey agar were used for subculturing. Gram stain, colony features, and biochemical tests were used to describe positive cultures. Kirby-disk Bauer's diffusion method was used to test drug susceptibility. All data was entered into Microsoft Excel, exported, and analyzed with SPSS version 24 software. Statistical significance was defined as a P value of less than 0.05. Results: Among 360 study participants, 21.3 %( n=77/360) showed bacterial growth, where 80.5 %( n=62/360) and 19.4 %( n=15/360) were gram negative and gram positive bacteria respectively. Commonly isolated organisms were Klebsiella spp 54.8 %( n=34/360), E. coli 30.6 %( n=19/360) and Coagulase negative Staphylococci 17.7 %( n=11/360). Birth weight, underlying chronic disease, congenital anomalies, was associated with positive blood culture. Antibiotic resistance was found in both Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Ciprofloxacin and Amikacin was the most effective antibiotic for gram negative bacteria while for gram positive bacteria Vancomycin, Clindamycin and Ciprofloxacin were effective drugs. Conclusion: This study discovered a high frequency of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in gram negative bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria were the most common cause of Septicemia in children. The most prevalent pathogen in this investigation was Klebsiella pneumoniae.

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Keywords

Septicemia, bacteriological profile, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, children Addis Ababa Ethiopia

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