| Abstract [eng] |
Introduction: Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children is a serious condition requiring careful diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Epidemiological data on the causative agents of pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis, as well as their antibiotic susceptibility and resistance, are essential for selecting the most appropriate empirical antibacterial therapy. It is well established that Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative agent of hematogenous osteomyelitis worldwide. However, the distribution of this and other pathogens, as well as their antimicrobial resistance patterns, varies between countries. Data on the causative agents of this disease, their susceptibility, and resistance patterns in Lithuania are limited. Findings from studies conducted in other countries do not accurately reflect the local epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance situation in Lithuania. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, and its results allow evaluation of the most common causative agents of pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis and differences between age groups. Assessment of pathogen susceptibility and resistance enables the choice of appropriate empirical antibacterial treatment. Aim: To determine the spectrum of causative pathogens of pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in Lithuania, assess their antimicrobial susceptibility, and evaluate differences between age groups. Objectives: 1. To identify the spectrum of causative pathogens of pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in Lithuania. 2. To assess antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of these pathogens. 3. To compare the distribution of causative pathogens across different age groups. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Children’s Hospital of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, following approval from the Regional Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (No. 2026/2-1739-1182). Patients under 18 years of age who were hospitalized with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis between January 1, 2008, and January 1, 2026, were included. Demographic and clinical data, including age, sex, disease localization and duration of hospitalization, prior antibiotic use, microbiological culture results, and administered antimicrobial therapy, were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 31.0). Results were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results: A microbiological pathogen was identified in 58.73% of cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen, accounting for 95.59% of all identified isolates. The majority of Staphylococcus aureus strains were susceptible to antibiotics, no methicillin-resistant strains were identified. The disease was most commonly diagnosed in school-aged children (median age – 10 years). No significant differences in pathogen distribution were observed between age groups (children under 5 years vs. 5 years and older). Conclusions: The most common pathogen of pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in Lithuania is Staphylococcus aureus, which demonstrates high susceptibility to antibiotics. Etiological factors did not differ between age groups. |
