Microbiology and management of intra-abdominal infections in children.
The present review describes the microbiology, diagnosis, and management of intra-abdominal infections in children. Infection generally occurs due to the entry of enteric micro-organisms into the peritoneal cavity through a defect in the wall of the intestine or other viscus as a result of obstruction, infarction, or direct trauma. Mixed aerobic and anaerobic flora can be recovered from the peritoneal cavity of these patients. The predominant aerobic isolates are Escherichia coli, and enterococci; the main anaerobic bacteria are Bacteroides fragilis group, Peptostreptococcus spp. and Clostridium spp. The treatment of abdominal infection includes surgical correction and drainage, and administration of antimicrobials that are effective against both aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms.
Brook
Itzhak
I
Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC, United States of America. ib6@georgetown.edu
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents