For the study, researchers examined 77 children, between the ages of 6 months and 4 years, admitted to two pediatric medical centers for suspected bone or joint infection. They compared the 77 children to 286 controls.
The study shows most children under the age of 4 who suffered a bone or joint infection were infected by Kingella kingae bacteria.
“More importantly, we discovered that 70 percent of children who had a bone/joint infection carried these bacteria in their throats, while it is uncommon in uninfected children (only 6 percent),” said Dr. Jocelyn Gravel, Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Thus, presence of Kingella kingae in the throat of a child “with a suspected bone infection will point towards K. kingae as the culprit. This may decrease the number of other tests performed to identify the pathogen,” said Dr. Gravel.
The research team also noted the need for further studies.
More articles on healthcare quality:
Top 10 infection control stories for August
On-call specialist or 24/7 hospitalist? Why the decision matters in orthopedics and obstetrics
Lone TB vaccine protects longer than previous research suggests
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
