Background Current evidence on vertical transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and neonatal outcome among exposed newborns is emerging and posing a challenge for preventive interventions. Perinatal transmission to the neonates especially during breastfeeding and rooming in is also relatively unknown. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted in Kalinga Institute of Medical Science (KIMS), Odisha state from 1 st May to 20 th October 2020. A total of 165 neonates born to SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers were enrolled. Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) testing was done in first 32 neonates in initial 24 hours of life. Results The clinical characteristics of 162 mothers & 165 neonates were analyzed. Mode of delivery was by caesarian section in most (n=103, 60%) cases. Three (3/32, 9.4%) inborn and 6 outborn neonates were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Thirty-eight (23%) babies needed neonatal intensive care. Clinical characteristics of neonates were meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF, [23.63%]), prematurity (16.9%), respiratory distress (10.5%), moderate to severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (3.6%), sepsis (7%) and hyperbilirubinemia (8.7%). Out of 138 stable babies kept on mother side and initiated breast feeding, none of them developed any signs and symptoms attributable to SARS-CoV-2. Five (3%) neonates died in COVID hospital of which one baby was SARS-CoV-2 positive. Conclusion There was an increased rate of incidences of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, meconium stained liquor and cesarean section delivery in COVID hospital. We found a possible vertical transmission in 9.4% cases. None of the neonates developed sign and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection during rooming in and breast feeding.

Background: Multidrug resistance has emerged as a challenge in health care settings. Again increasing prevalence of multidrug resistant (MDR), extensively drug resistant (XDR) and pan drug resistant (PDR) gram negative bacteria is making the condition more critical because of limited options of antibiotics, increasing morbidity, mortality and hospital stay of the patients. The present study is carried out with an aim to estimate the prevalence of MDR, XDR, PDR gram negative bacteria in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: Total of 912 gram negative bacterial isolates obtained from various samples of indoor patients in a tertiary care hospital, were studied over a period of six months. The bacteria were identified by conventional methods. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics for the resistant isolates were detected by Vitek-2 automated method. MDR, XDR and PDR were determined according to the definitions suggested by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevalence of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producers was estimated.Results: Out of 912 isolates, prevalence of MDR, XDR and PDR were 66.12%, 34.32% and 0.98% respectively. Prevalence of MDR and XDR were higher in ICUs than clinical wards (p<0.0001). Prevalence of ESBL producers was 48.4%.Conclusions: The study highlights increased prevalence of multidrug resistant and extensively drug resistant strains in our hospital. Stringent surveillance, proper implementation of hospital infection control practices and antimicrobial stewardship will help in limiting the emergence and spread of drug resistant strains.

IntroductionIn India, blood culture-positive sepsis results in mortality in 33%-35% of affected neonates. Nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB), particularly Acinetobacter baumannii and Burkholderia cepacia commonly cause hospital-acquired infection. Materials and methodsWe performed a subgroup analysis as part of a prospective study conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital in Odisha, India, between January 2017 and December 2020. Neonates with blood culture-positive sepsis caused by NFGNB were enrolled in this study. Demographic characteristics of the neonates, clinical features of sepsis, complications, need for supportive care, and blood culture sensitivity patterns were recorded and analyzed. ResultsA total of 168 organisms were isolated in blood cultures during our study period, of which 48 (29%) were NFGNB species. Among these 48 species, A. baumannii (37.5%) and B. cepacia (33.3%) were the most common NFGNB in our study. Neonates with sepsis commonly exhibited feeding intolerance (64.5%), circulatory insufficiency that necessitated vasopressor treatment (54.1%), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (35.4%), seizures (33.3%), and the need for respiratory support (56.2%). NFGNB were multidrug-resistant (MDR) in 70.8% of cases, and 93.7% of B. cepacia and 55.5% of A. baumannii were MDR. ConclusionsA. baumannii and B. cepacia are NFGNB commonly isolated in neonatal cases of blood culture-positive sepsis. The prevalence of MDR NFGNB sepsis is gradually increasing, which poses a threat to neonates. Strict aseptic precautions and antibiotic stewardship are thus mandatory in perinatal practice.

Background: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a multidrug resistant organism emerging as a major cause of hospital acquired infection. In a healthcare setup a patient may acquire MRSA through the hands, clothes and equipments of health care workers. Screening of health care workers colonised with MRSA will be helpful in preventing the spread of this organism in a hospital. With this background the present study was undertaken to estimate the carriage rate of MRSA among healthcare workers in our hospital.Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from 120 health care workers working in Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar during the study period of July- September 2017. The swabs were inoculated onto mannitol salt agar plates for isolation of Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA strains were identified by cefoxitin disc method. Antibiogram of MRSA strains was determined.Results: The prevalence of MRSA carriage among health care workers was 7.5% with the carrier rate being highest among nurses (10%). All the MRSA isolates were 100% resistant to penicillin. MRSA isolates were 90% resistant to amoxyclav, 60% to cotrimoxazole and erythromycin and 50% to clindamycin.Conclusions: Although the prevalence of MRSA among health care workers in our hospital is not alarming, it is important to emphasize the need for stringent hospital infection control policies to reduce the spread of MRSA to susceptible individuals.

Introduction: Nearly one-third of neonatal mortality in India is due to neonatal sepsis and death occurs in 30% of culture-positive neonates. Pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli are the most common bacteria responsible for neonatal sepsis in India and South Asia. Materials and Methods: It was an observational study, conducted in special newborn care units (SNCUs) of Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from May 2017 to October 2019. All neonates (<28 days of life) with blood culture-positive sepsis were included in this study. Blood cultures were sent in all the babies with features of clinical sepsis. The demographic profile of neonates, clinical presentations, isolated organisms, and their sensitive patterns was recorded for analysis. Results: Blood culture was sent in 445 suspected neonates with clinical sepsis out of which 115 blood culture positive organisms were isolated. Among the isolated organisms, 42 (35.6%) cases were Staphylococcus aureus followed by Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CONS) (20.8%), E. coli (19.1%), K. pneumoniae (10.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii (2.7%), Enterobacter spp.(4.3%), Enterococcus spp. (4.3%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.7%). S. aureus was the predominant organism found in both early and late-onset sepsis. All Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) are resistant to ampicillin whereas cephalosporin resistance was found in 68% of cases. Mortality due to sepsis was 8%. Conclusion: S. aureus followed by CONS was found to be the most common cause of sepsis in SNCU. A high degree of resistance of organisms to penicillins and cephalosporins calls for a re-evaluation of antibiotic policy and protocols for empirical treatment in neonatal sepsis.