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Original Research | Pediatrics | Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026 | Pages: 2419 - 2421 | India
Clinical and Bacteriological Profile of Pediatric Sepsis with Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India
Abstract: Background: Pediatric sepsis remains a primary driver of morbidity and mortality in developing nations. Due to the rapid progression of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in children, timely administration of appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy is crucial. However, the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens poses a severe challenge to clinicians. Objectives: To evaluate the bacteriological profile, culture positivity rate, and antibiotic sensitivity patterns among patients clinically diagnosed with sepsis admitted to the pediatric ward of Midnapore Medical College and Hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 60 pediatric patients presenting with clinical features of sepsis. Blood samples were collected under strict aseptic precautions and processed for culture and sensitivity (C&S) using standard microbiological protocols. Pathogens were identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the disk diffusion method. Results: Culture Positivity: Out of 60 clinically suspected cases, 14 samples (23.33%) yielded positive bacterial growth. Bacterial Spectrum: a) Gram-Positive Cocci (GPC): Accounted for 50.0% (n=7/14) of positive cultures. This included Staphylococcus epidermidis (including Methicillin-Resistant S. epidermidis [MRSE]) (n=4, 28.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus (including Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus [MRSA]) (n=3, 21.4%). b) Gram-Negative Bacilli (GNB): Accounted for 42.9% (n=6/14) of positive cultures, consisting of Acinetobacter baumannii/Acinetobacter spp. (n=4, 28.6%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=1, 7.1%) and Klebsiella aerogenes (n=1, 7.1%). c) Enteric Pathogens: Salmonella spp. accounted for 7.1% (n=1/14) of the isolates. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles: a) Gram-Positive Isolates: Exhibited excellent sensitivity to Linezolid (100% of tested isolates) and Vancomycin (100%), with moderate-to-high sensitivity preserved for Doxycycline, Gentamicin, and Co-trimoxazole. Methicillin resistance (MRSA/MRSE) was highly prevalent among the staphylococcal isolates. b) Gram-Negative Isolates: Demonstrated variable drug resistance. Acinetobacter species showed high sensitivity to Polymyxins (Polymyxin B/Colistin), Amikacin, and Meropenem, with notable resistance to standard cephalosporins. Klebsiella isolates remained sensitive to Doxycycline, Aminoglycosides, and Polymyxin B. c) Salmonella: The single isolate showed sensitivity to Co-trimoxazole. Conclusion: Both Gram-positive cocci (mainly resistant Staphylococcus species) and Gram-negative bacilli (dominated by resistant Acinetobacter species) are critical etiologic agents of pediatric sepsis in this setting. The high prevalence of MRSA, MRSE, and multi-drug resistant GNB highlights the critical need for local antibiotic stewardship. Glycopeptides (Vancomycin) and Oxazolidinones (Linezolid) remain highly reliable for Gram-positive coverage, while Aminoglycosides, Carbapenems, and Polymyxins should be reserved for directed Gram-negative therapies based on sensitivity patterns.
Keywords: Pediatric Sepsis, Blood Culture, Antibiotic Sensitivity, MRSA, MRSE, Acinetobacter, Midnapore Medical College
How to Cite?: Dr. Ayan Ghosh, Dr. Ajitava Roy, Dr. Dipayan Bandyopadhyay, "Clinical and Bacteriological Profile of Pediatric Sepsis with Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 2419-2421, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR26729172502, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR26729172502