Investigation of bacterial infections and drug resistance in neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Objective To investigate bacterial distribution and antibiotic resistance pattern in NICU of Central Hospital of Anshan,Liaoning province of China.Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all the cases admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) between November 2011 and November 2013.Culture and sensitivity data of organisms isolated were documented as well.Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated pathogens was determined with the use of the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion test.Results A total of 73 bacterial strains were isolated from 310 specimens with a 23.5％ positive rate.In total,37 Gram-negative strains were detected and Escherichia coli was the predominant infective organism,far more common than Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Gram-positive organisms were isolated in 32 cases and the most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus,followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis.Fungal isolates were recovered in 4 cases and Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated fungal organism.Carbapenem-resistant was not encountered and Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was not detected.Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates were significantly more resistant than Staphylococcus aureus.Conclusion Escherichia colis,Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the major pathogens in NICU of our hospital,showing a steep increase in antibiotic resistance.Regular monitoring and rational evaluation of drug resistance may help reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance,and provide the basis for empirical antimicrobial use. Key words: Drug-resistance; Bacteria; Neonatal intensive care unit