[Etiology and evolution of the osteoarticular infections. 2009-2015: Pediatric Hospital Pereira Rossell Uruguay].

BACKGROUND: The most frequent osteoarticular infections (OAI) etiological agent is Staphylococcus aureus. The prevalence of other microorganisms has changed after the introduction of new vaccines.

AIM: To describe the etiology and evolution of the OAIs in children hospitalized in Pediatric Hospital Pereira Rossell between 2009 and 2015.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Joint fluid and bone puncture studies of hospitalized children suspected of OAI. Epidemiological characteristics, isolated microorganisms, complementary tests, initial treatment, complications, and days of hospitalization were analyzed.

RESULTS: 335 patients; the etiology was established in 113. Clinical data could be analyzed in 87 cases. The average age was 6.1 years. They corresponded to: methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (n: 47), community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) (n: 11), Streptococcus pyogenes (n: 6), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n: 1), Haemophilus influenzae type b (n: 2), Gram-negative bacilli (n: 9), Kingella kingae (n: 1) others (n: 6). In 4 cases, more than one microorganism was isolated. CA-MRSA infections were more serious.

DISCUSSION: A decrease is observed in the number of CA-MRSA isolates. A fact to be highlighted is the impact of universal vaccination against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae type b. It is a finding to be monitored the increasing number of Gram-negative bacilli isolates.