Epidemiology of the infections in burns in the northeast of Brazil

Abstract

The hospital infections are frequent and serious complications that threaten the recovery of burned patients. Objectives: To identify the epidemiological profile and the main microorganisms isolated from infections in burned victims in Fortaleza/Ceará. Methodology: An observational study, longitudinal, prospective, using secondary data of individuals attended the Center for Treatment of Burns (CTQ) of the Institute Dr. Jose Frota (IJF) for treatment of burns, attended from January of 2004 to April of 2006. A total of 419 victims of burns was attended during the study period, the majority being male (59.43%), from Fortaleza (56.80%) and aged less than three years (30.31%). Of the total, 188 patients (44.88%) had burns from 11% to 20% of body surface area (SCQ). There were 175 cases of hospital infections, and the infection of the bloodstream was the most prevalent (77.14%), followed by respiratory infection (11.43%), urinary tract infection (8.0%) and skin (2, 86%). Staphylococcus aureus (34.69%), Pseudomonas sp. (33.33%), Enterobacter sp. (14.29%), Escherichia coli (4.08%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (3, 40%) were isolated in the patients. Conclusion: The most of burn victims were children with less than three years old, highlighting the need for parents to ensure the safety of their children at home. The microorganisms isolated in the study group ratify the high risk of burns victims for acquiring exogenous and exogenous infections.