Mr Birendra Kumar Behera1*, Dr Hara Prasad Panigrahy2, Dr Seema Mishra3, Dr Priyadarshini Debata4, Dr Siba Sankar Mahapatra5

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by systemic signs of infection in an infant of 28 days or younger and accompanied by isolation of bacterial pathogens from the blood stream. Nearly one-third of neonatal mortality in India. Pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella spp. are the most common bacteria responsible for neonatal sepsis in India.

METHODOLOGY: -The total of 111 samples were collected in (SNCU) ward of MKCG Medical college,Berhampur, Odisha from January 2024 to march 2024. All neonates with blood culture positive sepsis were included in this study and then immediately transported to the laboratory diagnosis. The study revealed that both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were associated with neonatal septicemia. Mostly gram-negative bacteria are predominant than gram-positive bacteria. 

AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:  To isolate and identify the organisms causing neonatal septicemia & to study the   antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolated organisms.  

MATERIALS AND METHOD: 

Inclusion criteria: Neonates with clinical sign and symptoms of sepsis at the time of admission.  
Exclusion criteria: Neonates without sign and symptoms of sepsis. Prior antibiotic administration. 
Approximately (1-3ml) of blood was collected from neonates using proper aseptic precaution and inoculated immediately into (30ml) of brain heart infusion broth & sub cultured after overnight incubation on MacConkey agar and 5% sheep blood agar. Any growth was identified by colony characteristics & standard biochemical test. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. 
DISCUSSION: Among the culture positive samples predominant pathogen isolates were gram negative (56.5%) followed by gram positive (43.47%). Klebsiella spp. (38.6%) was most common organism isolates causing neonatal septicemia. Among gram positive organisms Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen.
CONCLUSION: During the neonatal period, septicemia remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. High level of culture positive neonatal sepsis is of great concern in tertiary health care set up. In this study gram negative bacteria were the predominant organisms causing septicemia. It is important to isolate and identify various organisms causing sepsis in neonates and to study their antimicrobial sensitivity pattern so that proper treatment can be given for better clinical outcome.