BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection in childhood; its diagnosis involves performing a urine culture. AIM: To describe the etiology and bacterial susceptibility of the first episode of UTI in children presenting with fever to the emergency room. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and five children (2 months -5 years old) seen at the Hospital Dr. Sotero del Rio in Santiago, between November 2009 and November 2010 were evaluated. A urine specimen was obtained by transurethral catheterization. Urine was cultured and microorganisms were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. RESULTS: 76.2% (80) of patients were women and 80% (84) were under 18 months. Urine sediment was abnormal in 82.5%. The most frequently isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli (96.1%) showing high susceptibility to aminoglycosides (near 100%), third generation cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin; and low susceptibility to cephalothin (69%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (66%). We found one ESBL-producing strain. CONCLUSION: The most common uropathogen was E. coli with good in vitro susceptibility to aminoglycosides and third generation cephalosporins, which are the recommended initial empirical therapy. E. coli ESBL-producing strains appear as emerging pathogens in community acquired UTIs in children.
BACKGROUND:Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection in childhood; its diagnosis involves performing a urine culture. AIM: To describe the etiology and bacterial susceptibility of the first episode of UTI in children presenting with fever to the emergency room. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and five children (2 months -5 years old) seen at the Hospital Dr. Sotero del Rio in Santiago, between November 2009 and November 2010 were evaluated. A urine specimen was obtained by transurethral catheterization. Urine was cultured and microorganisms were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. RESULTS: 76.2% (80) of patients were women and 80% (84) were under 18 months. Urine sediment was abnormal in 82.5%. The most frequently isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli (96.1%) showing high susceptibility to aminoglycosides (near 100%), third generation cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin; and low susceptibility to cephalothin (69%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (66%). We found one ESBL-producing strain. CONCLUSION: The most common uropathogen was E. coli with good in vitro susceptibility to aminoglycosides and third generation cephalosporins, which are the recommended initial empirical therapy. E. coliESBL-producing strains appear as emerging pathogens in community acquired UTIs in children.