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Bacterial Isolates in Neonatal Infections


Ebelechuku F. Ugochukwu

Abstract

This study was conducted to document the prevalent bacterial organisms and their antimicrobial sensitivities in the Special Care Baby Unit of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.


A retrospective analysis of bacterial cultures was carried out over a 40-month period, from May 1998 to August 2001.


Only 10.8% of cultures yielded bacterial growth. In 50.0% of cases Staphylococcus aureus was isolated, while 14.3% and 35.7% were attributed to S. albus and gram-negative bacteria respectively. Pseudomonas alone was the isolate in 14.3% of cases. The single antibiotic with 100.0% sensitivity of Staph aureus and gram-negative bacteria was ciprofloxacin 28.6% of Staph aureus was sensitive to cloxacillin and genticin. Genticin was 100.0% effective against Pseudomonas but 33.3% in other coliforms. The cephalosporins had lower sensitivities.


The tide of emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria in neonatal infections must be stemmed. Trials of newer antibiotics are therefore needed.


Key Words: isolates, bacteria, sensitivity, cultures, neonate.


Nig. Medical Practitioner Vol. 44(3) 2003: 56-58

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eISSN: 0189-0964