title: Coagulase-negative staphylococci: Emerging pathogen in central nervous system shunt infection.
abstract: Central nervous system (CNS) shunts are commonly used to treat patients with hydrocephalus. Its placement is associated with increased risk of infection. The study was intended to evaluate infection rate associated with CNS shunt surgeries and identify risk factors for shunt infection. The frequency and characterisation of aetiological agents along with their antibiotic resistance pattern were also studied. A prospective study of 86 patients who underwent 97 surgeries over a period of 18 months was conducted. One hundred seventy-six cerebrospinal fluid samples and 44 shunt tips obtained were processed using standard microbiological techniques. Of 86 patients, 39 (45.35%) operated for shunt revision were infected while 47 patients operated for shunt insertion were not found to be infected. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant isolate. 57.58% isolates of Staphylococci were found to be biofilm producers. Mortality of 15% was observed among infected patients. Shunt infection remains a serious issue in the patients undergoing shunt surgery. Accurate diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infection are essential in such patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Preeti Lata
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lilani
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ritesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shirpurkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Chhaya
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chande
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Shrikant
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Abhay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chowdhary
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003030:Coagulase / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003030:Coagulase