Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part F (2019)

Abstract
Neonatal sepsis (NS) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in newborns. Neonatal sepsis refers to a clinical syndrome that is marked by signs and symptoms of infection in the first 28 days of life. Hence, the present study was undertaken to identify the common bacterial pahogens and to detect antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates for better treatment. The present investigation is based on a prospective analysis of 738 suspected neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of different hospitals in Akola city, Maharashtra over a period from Jan 2014 to Jan 2017. In this study, 738 positive blood culture isolates were processed in accordance with standard laboratory techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method according to Clinical and laboratory standard institution (CLSI) recommendations. S. epidermidis (CONS) prevalent isolates amongst the gram positive organisms showed high rate of antibiotic sensitivity to Imipenem, Meropenem. In present investigation, antibiotic resistance of all isolates of S. epidermidis (CONS) was observed against Ampicillin and Penicillin. This study of S. epidermidis (CONS) causing neonatal sepsis and their sensitivity pattern is useful so that guidelines can be prepared for empirical antibiotic therapy. Escherichia coli is a major cause of neonatal sepsis prevalent isolates amongst the gram negative organisms exhibited high rate of antibiotic sensitivity to Imipenem, Meropenem and Amikacin. In present investigation, Escherichia coli isolates also exhibited a multi-drug resistance to ampicillin, Penicillin, Nalidixic acid, Amoxicillin, Cefotexime, Norfloxacin and Tetracycline. This poses a threat to treatment of neonates due to increasing antibiotic resistance. It is concluded multi-drug resistant E. coli has emerged as the predominant pathogen responsible for early-onset neonatal sepsis, particularly in preterm infants. Hence, this study of S. epidermidis and Escherichia coli causing neonatal sepsis and their sensitivity pattern is useful so that guidelines can be prepared for empirical antibiotic therapy.