Bloodstream infections in children caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from blood in children and their susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs commonly used in the therapy. The study was conducted at the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina Province, Serbia, in a two-year period, from January 2009 to December 2010. A total of 424 non-duplicate strains were isolated from the blood of pediatric patients hospitalized in various wards in the Institute of Health Care of Children and Youth of Vojvodina Province. Fifty isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were reported. The frequency of isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae was 27/222 (12.2%) and 23/202 (11.3%) isolates in 2009 and 2010, respectively. There was a high prevalence of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, 76% (38/50), and 17 isolates (44.7%) were multidrug resistant (MDR). Further drug resistance surveillance in hospitals and the molecular characterization of ESBL-positive isolates in our country is necessary.