Abstract:

Aim: Escherichia coli is the most common microorganism recovered in urinary tract infections (UTI) in all age groups. Lately, different pathogens, such as Morganella morganii, are beginning to be isolated. The aim of this study was to investigate children with UTI caused by Morganella morganii. Materials and Methods: Children with UTI caused by Morganella morganii in our pediatric outpatient clinic were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The mean age of 11 children was 4.2±1.9 years (minimum: 19 months, maximum: 7.5 years). Four (36.4%) patients were female. The most frequent symptoms were irritability (n=5, 45.5%) and dysuria (n=5, 45.5%). Urinalysis was positive for leukocytes in 9 (81.8%), hematuria in 5 (45.5%), and nitrite in 6 (54.5%) patients. None of the patients had electrolyte abnormalities or renal failure. Colony count was most prevalently 100,000 colony-forming unit/mL (n=7,63.6%). The pathogen was most sensitive to imipenem/meropenem and piperacillintazobactam (n=11, 100%, for both). Two (18.1%) patients were hospitalized. Empirical antibiotic treatments were switched to amikacin (15 mg/ kg/day) for outpatients and piperacillin-tazobactam (300 mg/kg/day) for hospitalized patients for 10 days. Repeat urine cultures on the third day of treatment were negative. Conclusion: Morganella morganii, which is usually encountered as a kind of nosocomial or opportunistic infection, is presented as a cause of community-acquired UTI in this study. As in other infections, antibiotic susceptibility profiles are crucial in directing treatment .

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