Original Research

Cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility data for a tertiary-level paediatric oncology unit in Johannesburg, South Africa

Nina von Knorring, Trusha Nana, Vindana Chibabhai
South African Journal of Oncology | Vol 3 | a65 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajo.v3i0.65 | © 2019 Nina von Knorring, Trusha Nana, Vindana Chibabhai | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 06 December 2018 | Published: 27 May 2019

About the author(s)

Nina von Knorring, Division of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and, Microbiology Laboratory, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
Trusha Nana, Division of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and, Microbiology Laboratory, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
Vindana Chibabhai, Division of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and, Microbiology Laboratory, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Background: There is global concern regarding the spread of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria and fungi. Oncology patients are at particular risk of infections with multidrug resistant organisms. These patients require urgent initiation of empiric antimicrobial therapy when presenting with neutropenic fever. Currently, piperacillin-tazobactam and amikacin with or without vancomycin is the treatment of choice in the unit.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop a cumulative antibiogram for the paediatric oncology unit at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) to guide empiric treatment recommendations for patients presenting with suspected bacterial or fungal infection.

Setting: Tertiary-level paediatric oncology unit.

Methods: A retrospective observational analysis was performed of bacterial and fungal antimicrobial susceptibility data extracted from the microbiology laboratory information system for clinical specimens submitted from the paediatric oncology unit at CMJAH. Data was analysed for the period January 2015 to May 2018. In addition, analysis and comparison of two 17-month time periods was performed in order to elicit any changes over time.

Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were the most common gram-negative organisms isolated. Twenty-one percent of Enterobacteriaceae showed resistance to third generation cephalosporins and 9% to carbapenems. Rates of carbapenem-resistant isolates decreased significantly over time. Adding amikacin to piperacillin-tazobactam significantly increased bacterial coverage. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Candida parapsilosis were the most common gram-positive and fungal isolates recovered during the study.

Conclusion: The results support the continued use of piperacillin-tazobactam and amikacin for paediatric oncology patients presenting with neutropenic fever in this unit. Antibiograms are an important component of antimicrobial stewardship in conjunction with efficient infection prevention and control measures.


Keywords

governance; big data; controls; control framework; antibiogram; paediatric oncology; antimicrobial resistance; antimicrobial stewardship; infection prevention and control

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Crossref Citations

1. Non-fermenter Gram-negative bacilli at a tertiary hospital, South Africa
Sinenhlanhla Ndzabandzaba, Lesego Mothibi, Nina von Knorring
Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases  vol: 38  issue: 1  year: 2023  
doi: 10.4102/sajid.v38i1.538