THE STUDY OF BACTERIAL PROFILE IN PERITONEAL FLUID IN PATIENT WITH VP SHUNT

Abstract

Background Shunt infections can complicate the otherwise successful treatment of hydrocephalus,
leading to increased healthcare costs for patients and patient morbidity and mortality. The main cause
being the shunt infections ranging to 27%. The most common intra-abdominal response to infection is sheathing of the
peritoneal catheter.
Objectives:
1. To isolate and speciate the bacterial infectious agents from various clinical samples of VP shunt tips of VP shunt patients.
2. To note the sensitivity pattern of the isolated organisms.
3. To detect the type of infection and further carry out the microbiological study so that in future infections can be prevented
before their complication.
Methodology:
A descriptive and observational study of the peritoneal uid collected from patients with VP shunt related procedures were
carried out at the Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai and at the Institute of Microbiology of Madurai Medical college. The
period of study would be April, 2019 to July, 2019. Peritoneal samples were collected from both the neurosurgery and the
Pediatric patients. They were done using a sterile syringe and needle and were stored in sterile containers for microbiological
investigations. Specimens were transported through cold chain and in sterile conditions. The samples reached the
microbiological lab within 4 hours of collection. The real incidence of infected shunts is higher than that Results of the
malfunctioning shunts due to the microbial infections. Early detection and management of shunt infection with appropriate
antibiotics along with prompt removal. In our study incidence of Shunt infections were 27%. About 50% of the isolated
microorganism was found to be Klebsiella Pneumonia. The median age of the patients at the time of VP shunt revision was
found to be 17years. Most common aetiology was congenital conditions and the most common complaint was headache.
Conclusion Risk factors associated with the perioperative and operative period are of critical importance so that we can see
reductions in the infection rate.