[Clinical and evolutive features of invasive pneumococcal infections in child. About 10 cases]

ABSTRACT

Currently, pneumococcal infections are an important public health problem in Tunisia and through the world. In order to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and evolutive profile of penicillin-resistant pneumococci in children, we studied retrospectively 10 cases enrolled in the pediatrics department of Sousse during 11 years period [1993-2003]. There were eight boys and two girls [sex - ratio = 4] aged 5 to 42 months [mean age 13 months]. Four children were carriers purulent meningitis, three a pneumonia, two an osteo-articular infection and one an isolated septicemia. The pneumococcus was isolated in pathological products and the oxacillin disk screening test detected all penicillin-resistant isolated germs. The survey of penicillin sensitivity was completed by determination of minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] by E.Test[trademark] every time that the diameter of inhibition was lower to 26 mm. After antipneumococcal antibiotics treatment adapted to infections sites, six patients presented severe complications and two among them were died. Frequency, gravity and resistance of pneumococcal infections give a renewal interest for antipneumococcal vaccination in patients with risk