BACTERIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF NEONATAL SEPTICAEMIA

Neonatal sepsis is one of the most common causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity, particularly in the developing countries. Appropriate clinical diagnosis and empirical treatment is crucial as pathogens causing sepsis and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern varies in different settings. The objective of this study was to determine the causative bacteria and pattern of susceptibility to antibiotics in NICU, which in turn may help in implementation of empirical therapy. MATERIALS AND METHOD A total of 100 blood samples were screened for sepsis in newborns less than 28 days old in this prospective study. The blood cultures of suspected cases were detected by using BACTEC blood culture systems and antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology and Level III NICU in the Department of Paediatrics of D. Y. Patil Hospital and Research Centre during the period of two years 2013 to 2015. RESULTS In this study out of 100 neonates 38 (38%) showed sepsis and 62 (62%) showed no sepsis. Most common organisms responsible for the sepsis were CONS followed by Klebsiella pneumonia and Acinetobacter sp. Gram negative organisms were 100% sensitive to Colistin, Imipenem and Meropenem while Gram positive organisms were 100% sensitive to Azithromycin, Linezolid and Vancomycin. CONCLUSION The diagnostic capabilities of blood culture systems have improved over the last decade with the advent of automated continuous blood culture monitoring systems. BACTEC is a sensitive method and lead to earlier detection of bacterial growth.