Microbiological study and antibiotic susceptibility pattern among lethargic neonates in Najaf city, Iraq.

To determine the causative agents of infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility at a tertiary care hospital in Moshi, Tanzania, to guide optimal treatment. A total of 590 specimens (stool (56), sputum (122), blood (126) and wound swabs (286)) were collected from 575 patients admitted in the medical and surgical departments. The bacterial species were determined by conventional methods, and disc diffusion was used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates. A total of 249 (42.2%) specimens were culture-positive yielding a total of 377 isolates. A wide range of bacteria was isolated, the most predominant being Gram-negative bacteria: Proteus spp. (n = 48, 12.7%), Escherichia coli (n = 44, 11.7%), Pseudomonas spp. (n = 40, 10.6%) and Klebsiella spp (n = 38, 10.1%). Wound infections were characterised by multiple isolates (n = 293, 77.7%), with the most frequent being Proteus spp. (n = 44, 15%), Pseudomonas (n = 37, 12.6%), Staphylococcus (n = 29, 9.9%) and Klebsiella spp. (n = 28, 9.6%). All Staphylococcus aureus tested were resistant to penicillin (n = 22, 100%) and susceptible to vancomycin. Significant resistance to cephalosporins such as cefazolin (n = 62, 72.9%), ceftriaxone (n = 44, 51.8%) and ceftazidime (n = 40, 37.4%) was observed in Gram-negative bacteria, as well as resistance to cefoxitin (n = 6, 27.3%) in S. aureus. The study has revealed a wide range of causative agents, with an alarming rate of resistance to the commonly used antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, the bacterial spectrum differs from those often observed in high-income countries. This highlights the imperative of regular generation of data on aetiological agents and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns especially in infectious disease endemic settings. The key steps would be to ensure the diagnostic capacity at a sufficient number of sites and implement structures to routinely exchange, compare, analyse and report data. Sentinel sites (hospitals) across the country (and region) should report on a representative subset of bacterial species and their susceptibility to drugs at least annually. A central organising body should collate the data and report to relevant national and international stakeholders.

Surveillance of Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative Pathogens in High-risk Neonates—Does it Make a Difference?

Urinary tract infection in full-term newborn infants: risk factor analysis.

Point-of-care ultrasonography for suprapubic bladder aspiration in pediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Infections are a frequent and significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal units. The bacterial pathogens and their susceptibility patterns should be monitored in hospital settings. The aim of the study was to describe the distribution of the bacterial agents and their antibiotic resistant and susceptibility patterns in the Special Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU). A retrospective analysis of results of microbiologically tested samples (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, stool, eye excretions, external ear swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs and skin swabs) taken from newborns hospitalized in one SNCU in Warsaw (Poland) was conducted. The period analyzed was from July 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2010. A total of 838 cultured samples were collected in the period analyzed. Three hundred seventy three of them (44.5%) were positive. The majority of the cultured microorganisms were classified as colonization: 338/373 (91%) strains. Gram negative bacteria were predominant colonizing flora: 227/338 (67%) strains. Gram positive bacteria were predominant causative agents in newborns with infections: 26/35 (74%) strains. 57.9% of Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and ampicillin. 100% of Klebsiella pneumoniae were resistant to amikacin and netilmicin. Staphylococcus aureus methicillin resistant strains were cultured in 2.7% of cases. Gram negative species continue to be predominant agents of neonatal colonizing flora while gram positive bacteria remain important causative agents for symptomatic infections. Continuous monitoring of bacterial flora and its antibiotic susceptibility pattern is necessary to provide a successful antibiotic policy. Current results may be used for future national and international comparison.

Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the most severe public problems in both developed and developing countries like Bangladesh. In this study, several multi-drug resistant bacteria were isolated from the wound infections and demonstrated their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in Bangladeshi patients. A total of 699 bacterial isolates were collected from wound swabs and each isolate was identified using gram staining, biochemical assays, antibiotic susceptibility tests with the disk diffusion method, and colony morphology. Samples were taken from January 2018 to December 2019. The analysis was conducted using SPSS (Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and descriptive statistics were employed to illustrate the findings. We have found 14.4% gram-positive bacteria (n=100) and 85.6% gram-negative bacteria (n=595) among the 695 samples by gram staining methods. The most prevalent gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria present in wound infections were Staphylococcus spp. (81.5%) and Pseudomonas spp. (89%), respectively. Antimicrobials that were mostly resistant to gram-negative isolates were Amoxicillin (75.8%), Cefixime (75.5%), Cefuroxime (70.3%), and Ceftazidime (69.6%). On the other hand, cefixime and ceftazidime accounted for 73% of the resistance against gram-positive isolates, followed by amoxicillin (71%), and penicillin-G (69%). Meropenem was found to be the most sensitive antibiotic for gram-negative bacteria. Meropenem and Gentamycin were found to have a percentage of sensitivity for gram-positive bacteria. Based on the assessment of 13 different antimicrobial classes, the percentage of multi-drug resistant bacteria identified in gram-negative bacteria was 84% and in gram-positive bacteria was 79%. Among gram-negative bacterial isolates, 82% pseudomonas spp, 88.5% Klebsiella spp, and 91.6% Proteus spp were reported as multi-drug resistant. On the other hand, Pseudomonas spp, Klebsiella spp, and Proteus spp. were found to be multi-drug resistant in 82%, 88.5%, and 91.6% of gram-negative bacterial isolates, respectively. It was shown that staphylococcus aureus (81%) and staphylococcus spp (78.6%) became gram-positive among gram-positive isolates. According to this study, frequently isolated bacteria have a high frequency of MDR, which is the most pressing issue in public health. This study helps to manage the evidence-based treatment strategy and the urgency of early identification of drug-resistant bacteria that can reduce disease burden.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of urinary tract infection (UTI) in newborn infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Zagazig University. Patients and Methods: This study included 206 neonates admitted to the NICU in the period from 1/1/2010 to 1/6/2010. All neonates were subjected to detailed history taking, including prenatal history, natal history, and postnatal history, with stress on symptoms suggestive of UTI. We examined all neonates generally and locally, every case was subjected to urine analysis; suprapubic aspiration was done for all cases. The diagnosis of UTI was established by the presence of at least 5 leukocytes per high power field. Urine culture, CBC (complete blood count), blood culture, and ultrasound scanning were also done for certain cases. Results: We found 75 newborns with clinical findings suggesting UTI. We classified our neonates according to the presence of at least 5 leukocytes in urine per high power field into two groups: Group I (−ve cases) without UTI included 44 neonates (31 males and 13 females) and Group II (+ve cases) with UTI included 31 neonates (24 males and 7 females). There was no significant difference between Group I and Group II with regard to gender, age, weight, and consanguinity. The incidence of UTI in NICU was 15.05% (33/206), prevalence among suspected cases of UTI in NICU was 41.3% (33/75), and of the 39 neonates with sepsis 33 had UTI (79.5%). Of the positive cases, 77.4% were full-term neonates and 22.6% were preterm neonates. Of the 31 cases with positive urinary culture there were 18 cases (58.1%) showing Escherichia coli, and 13 cases (41.9%) were positive for Klebsiella. Conclusion: This study has highlighted the need for routine urine analysis and culture, especially in high-risk newborns and to monitor the prevalence of UTI early in life. Also routine ultrasonographic screening should be done in all newborns with UTI to save the newborns and prevent the risk of complications, which may end in renal scarring and renal failure.

Late-onset sepsis (LOS), which occurs 72 hours after birth, remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Differences in infant populations and the complexity of care at various NICU levels may result in varying bacteriological profiles and antibiotic susceptibility patterns. The objective of the current study was to determine and compare the bacteriological profiles, antibiotic susceptibility, and risk factors for LOS in levels III and IV NICU within a single hospital system. This was a retrospective study of infants with LOS and positive blood cultures, admitted to levels III and IV NICUs between 2012 and 2021. Of the 173 infants included in our study, 105 were admitted to the level IV NICU and 68 to the level III NICU. Infants in the level III NICU had a lower gestational age and birth weight at the time of LOS. Seventy percent of the infants had a central line. Gram-positive organisms were responsible for the vast majority of infections (75%), with coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) being the most common bacteria in both units. Gram-negative bacteria were more frequently isolated from the level IV NICU (36.2%) compared to the level III NICU (8.8%). Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterobacter sp. were the most frequently isolated gram-negative bacteria. All gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to vancomycin, and all gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to meropenem. The prevalent bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns in the NICU should guide the choice of empiric antibiotics for LOS. It is important to monitor sepsis and antimicrobial resistance patterns in the NICU and implement risk-specific strategies to reduce the burden of LOS. · LOS in NICUs is predominantly caused by gram-positive bacteria, mainly CoNS.. · Higher frequency of gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli and Enterobacter, in level IV NICU.. · All gram-negative isolates were meropenem-sensitive; vancomycin effective for gram-positives..

BACKGROUND Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in infants (10%). Urinary catheterization (UC) and supra-pubic aspiration (SPA) allow for sterile collection of urine. Some studies suggest SPA has a lower contamination rate than UC, however the optimal method of urine collection for culture remains unclear. OBJECTIVES To determine if there is: 1) a lower contamination rate in urine obtained by SPA assisted by bladder ultrasound versus UC in infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); 2) a difference between procedures in: success rates for obtaining urine, short-term complication rates, and number of attempts required. DESIGN/METHODS A multicentre, unblinded, randomized controlled trial from 04/2013 to 05/2016. All gestational age (GA) infants greater than 72 hours of age investigated for UTI were eligible for randomization. Crossover to the other procedure could occur after 2 hours or 2 failed attempts. Target sample size was 165. Contamination was defined as growth of ≥2 microorganisms (SPA, UC) or growth <104 CFU/ml (UC). Primary analysis was by intention-to-treat. RESULTS Enrolment was stopped for futility. 906 families were approached with 151 providing consent. 50 infants were eligible for randomization with 47 randomized (SPA n=23, UC n=24). Table 1 shows participant demographics. UTI incidence was 13% for SPA, 8% for UC (p=0.67). Crossover rates were high: 56% for SPA; 21% for UC. No urine sample was obtained in 2 participants per group despite attempts. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in contamination rates (14% SPA, 18% UC, p=1.00). No short-term complications were reported in either group. Prior to crossover, there was no difference in the number of attempts (i.e. up to 2 attempts pre-crossover or to successfully obtain urine) per procedure (p=0.08); however, there was a difference in the success rates per procedure (44% SPA, 75% UC, p=0.04). CONCLUSION This trial found no difference in contamination rates between SPA and UC, while noting the low enrolment and high crossover rate. More procedural training (particularly for SPA) may ensure greater procedural confidence and success. Post-procedural consent could improve enrolment given that equipoise on the optimal urine collection method still exists.

To describe changes in the environmental microbiota of a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and potential implications for infection prevention and control (IPC) efforts. Prospective observational study. A newly constructed level IV neonatal cardiac intensive care unit (NCICU) before and after patient introduction and the original NICU prior to patient transfer. Environmental samples were obtained from the original NICU prior to patient transfer to a new NCICU. Serial sampling of patient rooms and provider areas of the new NICU was conducted immediately prior to patient introduction and over an 11-month study period. Microbiota at each sampling point were characterized using Illumina sequencing of the V3/V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Microbiota characteristics (α and β diversity and differential abundance) were compared based on time, location, and clinical factors (room-level antibiotic use and patient turnover). An immediate increase in the environmental differential abundance of gut anaerobes were seen after patient introduction. There was an increase in the relative abundance of Staphylococcus spp, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp, and Streptococcus spp over time. The new NCICU consistently showed more diverse microbiota and remained distinct from the original NICU. The microbiota of the provider areas of the NCICU eventually formed a cluster separate from the patient rooms. Patient turnover increased room-level microbiota diversity. Microbiota characteristics of the new NICU were distinct from the original ICU despite housing similar patients. Patient and provider areas developed distinct microbiota profiles. Non-culture-based methods may be a useful adjunct to current IPC practice.

Health-care-associated bloodstream and urinary tract infections in a network of hospitals in India: a multicentre, hospital-based, prospective surveillance study

To determine the incidence of neonatal septicemia, identify the bacterial isolates and study their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in neonates visiting out-patient door (OPD) and admitted to the pediatric ward and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the College of Medical Sciences, Teaching Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal. Blood culture of all neonates who were suspected for septicemia was performed. Isolate identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by standard microbiological method. Out of the total 7,868 blood culture samples submitted to the microbiology laboratory, 1,572 (19.97%) samples were from suspected cases of neonatal septicemia. The blood culture was positive for neonatal sepsis in 238 (15.13%) samples. The incidence of gram positive and gram negative organisms were 44.1% and 55.9% respectively. Staphylococcus aureus remained the predominant isolate followed by Klebsiella spp. Most of the gram positive isolates exhibited higher resistance to penicillin and cephalosporin. Susceptibility to commonly used aminoglycosides and quinolones was found. Similarly, more than two third isolates of gram negative Enterobacteriaceae showed resistance to ampicillin. Third generation cephalosporin and aminoglycosides were found to be more satisfactory among gram negative organisms as compared to gram positive. The high incidence of neonatal septicemia in the present setting reflects high magnitude of problem in central part of Nepal. Organisms isolated in the study exhibited higher resistance towards commonly used antimicrobials. High resistances to recommended drugs awares health care workers to seek for alternative antimicrobial agents. The periodic survey of etiological agents and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns is indeed necessary for the timely alarm of such type of problems.

Urinary tract infection in full-term newborn infants: value of urine culture by bag specimen collection.

Bacteremic pneumonia is a major cause of death among neutropenic patients with cancer. We analyzed the causes, empirical antibiotic therapy, and outcome of 40 consecutive cases of bacteremic pneumonia identified among 408 episodes of bacteremia in adult neutropenic patients with cancer, prospectively documented from 1986 to 1995. The most frequent causative organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17 cases), Streptococcus pneumoniae (12 cases), Escherichia coli (5 cases), and Streptococcus mitis (3 cases). Overall, P. aeruginosa and S. pneumoniae caused 72.5% of all episodes of bacteremic pneumonia, compared with 11.4% of bacteremic episodes from other sources (P< .001). Thirty patients received ceftazidime and 10 patients received imipenem as the beta-lactam component of the initial empirical treatment. All strains of P. aeruginosa were susceptible to both agents. Forty-seven percent of streptococcal strains were penicillin resistant and showed a decreased susceptibility to ceftazidime (minimum inhibitory concentration ranged from 1 to 64 microg/mL). Five patients (12.5%) were considered to have received inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy. Attributable mortality in patients with bacteremic pneumonia was higher than in patients with bacteremia from other sources; 22 (55%) of the 40 patients with bacteremic pneumonia died, whereas 39 (10.6%) of the 368 patients with bacteremia from other sources died (P<.001). Our data suggest that bacteremic pneumonia in neutropenic cancer patients is associated with a poor outcome and that empirical antibiotic therapy for neutropenic patients with pneumonia should include agents active against both P. aeruginosa and cephalosporin-resistant streptococci.

The purpose of this study was to determine the microbiological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in patients with Tinea Pedis at the Diabetic Center in EL-Beyda City (Libya). Samples were collected from the diabetic patients with intertrigo of foot attending the out-patients’ department in the Diabetic Center from December 2020 to February 2021 by using sterile swabs. Samples were inoculated into blood and MacConkey agars for bacterial isolation. The microbiologic isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed according to standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of all the isolates to different antibiotics was determined by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Overall, 50 patients (50% male and 50% female) had a mean age of 58.4 ± 9.4 years and a mean duration of diabetes of 14.6 ± 6.6 years. Most isolates (76.8 %) were Gram-negative bacilli (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella Spp and Proteus Spp), followed by Gram-positive cocci (23.2%) (Streptococci Spp and Staphylococcus aureus). Most bacteria were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin (84.0%) and resistant to Erythromycin (42.0%). The majority of isolated bacteria from patients were found to be multi-drug resistant. The results demonstrate the importance of time in the identification of the intertrigo sample collection for the identification of the pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern before initiating antimicrobial treatment.