Abstract

Background

We describe antibacterial use in light of microbiology data and treatment guidelines for common febrile syndromes in Moshi, Tanzania.

Methods

We compared data from 2 hospital-based prospective cohort studies, cohort 1 (2011–2014) and cohort 2 (2016–2019), that enrolled febrile children and adults. A study team member administered a standardized questionnaire, performed a physical examination, and collected blood cultures. Participants with bloodstream infection (BSI) were categorized as receiving effective or ineffective therapy based upon antimicrobial susceptibility interpretations. Antibacterials prescribed for treatment of pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), or presumed sepsis were compared with World Health Organization and Tanzania Standard Treatment Guidelines. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression to describe antibacterial use.

Results

Among participants, 430 of 1043 (41.2%) and 501 of 1132 (44.3%) reported antibacterial use prior to admission in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. During admission, 930 of 1043 (89.2%) received antibacterials in cohort 1 and 1060 of 1132 (93.6%) in cohort 2. Inpatient use of ceftriaxone, metronidazole, and ampicillin increased between cohorts (P ≤ .002 for each). BSI was detected in 38 (3.6%) participants in cohort 1 and 47 (4.2%) in cohort 2. Of 85 participants with BSI, 81 (95.3%) had complete data and 52 (64.2%) were prescribed effective antibacterials. Guideline-consistent therapy in cohort 1 and cohort 2 was as follows: pneumonia, 87.4% and 56.8%; UTI, 87.6% and 69.0%; sepsis, 84.4% and 61.2% (P ≤ .001 for each).

Conclusions

Receipt of antibacterials for febrile illness was common. While guideline-consistent prescribing increased over time, more than one-third of participants with BSI received ineffective antibacterials.

Details

Title
Antibacterial Utilization for Febrile Illnesses and Laboratory-Confirmed Bloodstream Infections in Northern Tanzania
Author
Moorthy, Ganga S 1 ; Madut, Deng B 2 ; Kilonzo, Kajiru G 3 ; Lwezaula, Bingileki F 4 ; Mbwasi, Ronald 3 ; Mmbaga, Blandina T 3 ; Ngocho, James S 3 ; Saganda, Wilbrod 5 ; Bonnewell, John P 2 ; Carugati, Manuela 6 ; Egger, Joseph R 2 ; Hertz, Julian T 2 ; Tillekeratne, L Gayani 2 ; Maze, Michael J 7 ; Maro, Venance P 3 ; Crump, John A 2 ; Rubach, Matthew P 2 

 Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina , USA 
 Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina , USA 
 Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre-Duke University Collaboration, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre , Moshi , Tanzania 
 Department of Medicine, Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital , Moshi , Tanzania 
 Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Tumaini University , Moshi , Tanzania 
 Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina , USA 
 Centre for International Health, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand 
Publication year
2023
Publication date
Aug 2023
Publisher
Oxford University Press
e-ISSN
23288957
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3170912973
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.