Neonatal Bacteraemia and Antibiotic Resistance at the Angre University Hospital, Abidjan, 2020

Abstract

Background: Multi-drug resistant bacteria are an increasingly important cause of neonatal sepsis. Nowadays, they are a great concern in neonates because few therapeutic options are available. Aim: To determine the bacteria responsible of neonatal sepsis and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in order to improve the quality of antibiotic prescription. Methods: A retrospective data review on positive blood cultures from the neonatal department at the university hospital of Angre between January to December 2020 was conducted. All neonates with clinical suspicion of sepsis with positive blood cultures were identified. Patient demographics, clinical details, and laboratory data were recorded and analyzed by Epi info software version 7.2.5.0 Results: Out of 221 blood cultures samples, 82 were positive (37%). The predominant age group was that between day 0 and day 7. A preponderance of bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus (48.78%) compared to enterobacteria (43.90%) was observed. The main isolated bacteria were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (29.27%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (26.83%) and Staphylococcus aureus (19.51%). Streptococcus agalactiae was isolated in 2 cases (2.44%). Among the Enterobacteriaceae strains, 80.56% produced an Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL). The rate of methicillin-resistant was observed in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Staphylococcus aureus in 37.50% and 31.25% of cases respectively. Out of ESBL strains, 89.65% were multi-resistant. Of the 14 strains of methicillin-resistant staphylococci, 13 (92.86%) were multidrug resistant. Conclusion: Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the common causes of neonatal sepsis. The high rate of multi-drug resistant bacteria resistant represents a great threat to neonatal survival and warrants modification of existing empirical therapy.