Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens isolated in early onset neonatal sepsis.

Objective: To determine the frequency of common pathogens causing early onset neonatal sepsis and pattern of antibiotic resistance of the isolated organism. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Children Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, from 1st June 2016 to 31st July 2017. Methodology: The neonates born between 34 to 40 weeks of gestation, who had history of fever, positive C-reactive protein (CRP) and prolonged rupture of membranes i.e. more than 18 hours, with two or more signs and symptoms of neonatal sepsis like poor feeding, lethargy, hypothermia, tachypnea, tachycardia or sclerema were included in the study. Blood sample for blood culture was collected from every enrolled newborn. The culture pattern and sensitivity to various groups of antibiotics was assessed. Results: Amongst total of 195 neonates the mean age of neonates was 1.91 (± 0.81) days. Klebsiella was the commonest pathogen isolated in 67% of blood culture specimens. Ampicillin showed 88% resistance for Klebsiella, 100% resistance for Pseudomonas, and 93% resistance for Staphylococcus aureus. Vancomycin showed 58% resistance for Klebsiella, 67% resistance for Pseudomonas, and 37% resistance for Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: The commonest organism isolated on blood culture in neonates with early onset septicaemia was Klebsiella. Most of the antibiotics are resistant, however, imipenem and vancomycin have better sensitivity profile against these organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]