Change in Bacteriology Following Progression of Appendicitis in Children

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the bacteriology of children’s acute appendicitis and choose suitable antibiotics in the perioperative period.

Methods: Forty patients underwent appendectomy from January 2012 to June 2017. Appendiceal swab or peritoneal pus was cultured and analyzed by period from onset to operation and stage of appendicitis.

Results: E. coli was isolated from 28 (70%) of 40 patients, Bacteroides fragilis from 15 (38%), Enterococcus sp. from 14 (35%), Bacillus sp. from 11 (28%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 10 (25%), and Streptococcus sp. from 7 (18%). During the period from onset to operation and as appendicitis progressed, the isolation rates of Enterococcus sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa increased.

Conclusions: In cases with more than two days from onset to operation and gangrenous appendicitis, we need to consider the antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in choosing antibiotics.