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

作者：Bousfield Rachel^*; Thyl Miliya; Samol Orng; Rithea Loet; Sona Soeng; Chhat Hor Put; Poda Sar; Moore Cartin E; Chheng Kheng; Kumar Varun; Day Nicholas P J; Parry Christopher M

来源：Paediatrics and International Child Health, 2016, 36(2): 118-121.

DOI：10.1179/2046905515Y.0000000009

• Enteric fever
• Typhoid
• Cambodia
• Children
• Blood culture
• Salmonella
• Paediatric
• Angkor Hospital for Children

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.

• 出版日期2016