Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections

Indian J Med Microbiol. 2006 Jan;24(1):52-4. doi: 10.4103/0255-0857.19896.

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) shunt infection is a cause of significant morbidity, causing shunt malfunction and chronic ill health. This study was carried out to evaluate the infection rate associated with CNS shunts, assess the frequency of the pathogens as well as their antibiotic sensitivity pattern aiming at suitable prophylaxis. A retrospective analysis of 226 CSF cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt procedures sent for bacteriological work up over a period of one year and six months was undertaken. Laboratory diagnosis was established by subjecting the CSF to cell count, biochemical tests, bacteriological culture and antibiotic susceptibility test. Nine out of 226(3.98%) of the CSF samples were culture positive. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was the most common isolate accounting for 36.36%. Majority of the isolates were sensitive to the thirdgeneration cephalosporins and quinolones. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern suggests cephalosporins and quinolones to be a better choice of antibiotics either prophylactically or therapeutically, which may result in effective and rapid sterilisation of the CSF.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / microbiology*
  • Coagulase / metabolism
  • Culture Media
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / classification
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Staphylococcus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus / isolation & purification*
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Coagulase
  • Culture Media