Citrobacter urinary tract infections in children

Background, Citrobacter species have been described as the etiologic agents in cases of bacteremia, meningitis, diarrhea and brain abscess, but little is known of their role as a cause of urinary tract infections in children. The purpose of this study was to define the role of Citrobacter species in pediatric urinary tract infections. Methods, The project consisted of a retrospective chart review of microbiologic and medical records of patients younger than 18 years of age with urine cultures positive for Citrobacter species during a 3-year period. Results. Thirty-four patients with 37 infections were included in the review. The average patient age was 6.9 years (range, 1 month to 18 years) and 71% were female. Fifty-six percent of the patients had urinary tract/renal anomalies or neurologic impairment and 26% represented nosocomial infections. Thirty-seven percent of patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis, whereas 63% complained of at least one of the following findings: gastrointestinal symptoms; dysuria; fever; incontinence; penile/vaginal discharge; frequency; flank pain; and hematuria, Twenty-six of the isolates were Citrobacter freundii and 11 were Citrobacter koseri, Blood cultures were obtained in 9 patients and all were negative for Citrobacter isolates. Conclusions. Although it is uncommon Citrobacter can cause urinary tract infections in the pediatric population, which occur more frequently in children with underlying medical conditions. It appears that treatment similar to that of other Gram-negative enteric organisms is the most prudent approach to these children until more information can be gathered.