Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacteria Implicated in Neonatal Sepsis at Pumwani Maternity Hospital

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among infants in developing countries. The etiology and antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of bacteria responsible vary in different hospitals. This study identified bacteria in blood cultures of neonates with clinically suspected septicemia and demonstrated their susceptibility patterns. A longitudinal design targeting all neonates at Pumwani maternity hospital with suspected sepsis was used. One hundred and fifty neonates were selected using consecutive sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Out of 150 blood specimens cultured, the cases of confirmed bacterial sepsis were 48(32%). Gram-positive pathogens predominated with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus viridans accounting for 70%. The only Gram-negative isolates were E. coli and Klebsiella spp. Gram-positive isolates showed high sensitivity (above 80%) to meropenem, gentamicin, ceftriaxone, ofloxacin, and amikacin. Gram- negative organisms were generally resistant to penicillins and absolutely sensitive to meropenem, ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin.