Gram-negative bloodstream infections in children

Duration: 2019 – 2021

Funding Source: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Children’s Hospital Foundation

Chief Investigators: Adam Irwin, Julia Clark

HDR Student: Dr Sophie Wen

Aim

This investigation aims to establish a prospective surveillance of Gram-Negative Bloodstream Infections in tertiary children’s hospitals throughout Australia.

Background

Gram-negative organisms cause almost one half of all bloodstream infections (BSI) in children with comorbidities and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding the clinical and molecular epidemiology of Gram-negative BSI (GNBSI) and multi-drug GNBSI in children is necessary to facilitate the development and evaluation of the most effective antimicrobial treatment strategies in children.

Impact

This surveillance will augment data collected by the Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AGAR) Gram-negative Sepsis Outcome Program and will help explain transmission dynamics of both susceptible and resistant invasive Gram-negative organisms in Australian children.