Neonatal septicemia: Bacterial isolates & their antibiotics susceptibility patterns.

ABSTRACT

Background: Septicemia remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the newborn, more so in developing countries due to delivery and postnatal follow up in an unclean environment having more chance of contamination with infective organisms. Moreover these infants are deficient in their inherent protective mechanisms, humoral and cellular immunity. The changing pattern and frequent emergence of resistant bacteria make the problem more difficult. Objectives: (1) To know the etiology of septicemia in neonates. (2) To detect the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates. Methods and Material: Blood samples were collected aseptically from 303 newborns admitted in NICU, Sir T Hospital, Bhavnagar during Jan-2006 to August-2008 with sepsis. The specimens were inoculated into brain heart infusion broth & subcultures were performed. The isolates were identified by standard biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of isolates was studied by Modified Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion technique. Results: A total 140 (46.20%) organisms were isolated. These included Klebsiella (66, 47.14%), Staphylococcus aureus (35, 25%), Coagulase negative staphylococci (CONS) (5, 3.57%), E.coli (15, 10.71%), Proteus (5, 3.57%), Acinetobactor (3, 2.14%), Pseudomonas (6, 4.28%) and Candida (5, 3.57%). Majority of organisms isolated were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Maximum sensitivity was seen by Cefoperazone/sulbactum (97%) & Piperacillin/tazobactum (98%) for Gram negative organisms & Vancomycin(100%) for Gram positive organisms. Conclusions: Multi-drug resistance organisms were isolated from septicemia in neonates. Therefore great caution is required in selection of antibiotic therapy.