Sensitivity pattern among bacterial isolates in neonatal septicaemia in port Harcourt

Four hundred and six neonates were prospectively screened for sepsis over a 6 month period. Sensitivity of the bacterial isolates to different antibiotics was determined using Kirby-Bauer diffusion method.Gram negative organisms predominated (75.1%) with Klebsiella pneumonia (58.2%) being the commonest. The quinolones were the most sensitive antibiotics to the commonly isolated organisms.Klebsiella pneumonia is the commonest organism responsible for neonatal sepsis in Port Harcourt. There is an overall decline in the antibiotic susceptibility to the commonly isolated bacterial pathogens.Sepsis remains one of the most common diseases of the neonatal period and is still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality [1]. It contributes up to 13-15% of all deaths during the neonatal period, higher in developing countries where it contributes between 30-50% [2,3]. It is important to note that 20-30% of the survivors of neonatal sepsis may exhibit neurological sequalae [4]. Sepsis related mortality is however largely preventable with rational antimicrobial therapy and aggressive supportive care [5].The organisms responsible for neonatal sepsis (NNS) vary across geographical boundaries and with the time of onset of illness [6]. In addition, one organism or a group of organisms may over time replace another as the leading cause of neonatal sepsis in a particular region [1,7,8]. In most developing countries, gram negative bacteria remain the major source of infection [9]. However, in the developed countries, Gram positive organisms have been implicated as the most common causes of NNS [10].Micro-organisms implicated in NNS have developed increased drug resistance to commonly used antibiotics and thus making treatment extremely difficult [11]. Thus, local epidemiology of neonatal sepsis should be constantly updated to detect changes in the pattern of infection of pathogens and their susceptibility to various antibiotics. The epidemiology of NNS and antibiotic resistance patt