Neonatal Sepsis: A Study on Isolated Pathogens and Their Susceptibility Pattern at Tertiary Care Hospital in Rural Setting

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is one of the most important causes of infant mortality and morbidity. In spite of availability of broad spectrum antibiotics, treating sepsis has become a challenge due to emergence of resistant strains from time to time. The present study is aimed at to isolate the organisms causing sepsis in neonates and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. From April 2013 to June 2014, 167 blood samples were collected from clinically diagnosed cases of neonatal sepsis. The samples were conventionally processed and the isolated organisms and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern were analysed. There are 38 (22.75%) samples which are culture positive out of 167 samples. There are almost equal culture positivity in early onset sepsis (23.64%) and late onset sepsis (23.32%). The most common isolated organism is Coagulase Negative Staphylococci. All isolates are resistant to penicillin, amoxicillin and third generation cephalosporins. All isolates except pseudomonas are susceptible to Piperacillin/Tazobactum and all Gram positive isolates are susceptible to Vancomycin. As the most of the isolates are multidrug resistant, it is essential to do regular studies to know the changing trends in causing organisms and their susceptibility patterns which helps not only in effective management of sepsis but also in choosing empirical antibiotic of choice.

Keywords:  neonatal sepsis, blood culture, coagulase negative staphylococci, antibiotic

Cite this Article

Barbari Manmohan, Nagasrilatha Bathala, Narasimha Reddy Ambadi, Shashikala Avula, Neonatal sepsis:  A study on isolated pathogens and their susceptibility pattern at tertiary care Hospital in rural setting. Research and Reviews: Journal of Medicine, 2015; 5(2): 11–15p.