Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing pathogens in a children's hospital: a 5-year experience.
BACKGROUND
Pediatric infection with bacteria producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) has not been well described. We sought to determine the proportion of isolates producing ESBLs and the incidence of infection or colonization with these organisms in our tertiary care pediatric facility over 5 years. In addition, we sought to evaluate the characteristics of children affected.


METHODS
We identified all Escherichia coli or Klebsiella spp cultured from children younger than 18 years of age at our facility between January 2003 and December 2007. Medical records were reviewed for affected children.


RESULTS
Of 2697 E coli, K pneumoniae, and K oxytoca cultured, 26 ESBL producers were isolated from 16 children. Rates of ESBL production among cultured isolates significantly increased, from 0.53% in the first half of the study period to 1.4% in the second. Incidence of a primary ESBL infection also increased significantly, from 0.14/10,000 patient encounters to 0.31/10,000. The majority of children infected or colonized with ESBL-producing organisms were those with chronic medical conditions, frequent hospitalizations, or a history of recurrent infection. However, 4 affected children were less than 5 months old and evaluated in an outpatient setting.


CONCLUSIONS
Rates and incidence of ESBL infection increased over the study period. Whereas most patients belonged to traditional risk groups for antibiotic-resistant infection, infants in the ambulatory setting were also affected, an at-risk population not previously described.
Blaschke
Anne J
AJ
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, PO Box 581289, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, USA. anne.blaschke@hsc.utah.edu
Korgenski
E Kent
EK
Daly
Judy A
JA
LaFleur
Bonnie
B
Pavia
Andrew T
AT
Byington
Carrie L
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001618:beta-Lactamases