A retrospective study of factors which determine a negative blood culture in Cambodian children diagnosed with enteric fever.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Blood cultures are used to confirm a diagnosis of enteric fever but reported sensitivities can be as low as 40%.

AIMS:

To determine the factors associated with a negative blood culture in Cambodian children with suspected enteric fever.

METHODS:

In a retrospective study of hospitalised Cambodian children given a discharge diagnosis of enteric fever, the following factors associated with a negative blood culture were analysed: age, blood culture volume, prior antibiotic therapy, duration of illness and disease severity.

RESULTS:

In 227 hospitalised Cambodian children with a discharge diagnosis of enteric fever, it was confirmed in 70% by a positive blood culture. There was no association between a negative blood culture and younger age, lower blood volumes for culture, prior antibiotic therapy, a late presentation or milder disease.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although blood culture sensitivity was higher than expected, alternative simple, rapid and sensitive tests are needed for diagnosing enteric fever.

• Authors: Rachel Bousfield, Miliya Thyl, Orng Samol, Loet Rithea, Soeng Sona, Hor Put Chhat, Sar Poda, Cartin E Moore, Kheng Chheng, Varun Kumar, Nicholas P J Day, Christopher M Parry
• Journal: Paediatrics and international child health (Paediatr Int Child Health) Vol. 36 Issue 2 Pg. 118-21 (May 2016) ISSN: 2046-9055 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25845519 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Bacteriological Techniques
• Blood Culture (methods)
• Cambodia
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Salmonella typhi (isolation & purification)
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Typhoid Fever (blood, diagnosis)