Bacteriology of neonatal septicaemia and bacteraemia at the Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Bacterial growth was obtained from 114 neonates from all the paediatric units of the Kenyatta National Hospital (K. N. H. ) where neonates are admitted and managed during the period January to December, 1980. The positive bacterial blood cultures of the 114 neonates were

Staphylococcus albus in 35 cases (29. 7%, Staphylococcus aureus in 24

cases (20. 3%) Escherichia coll in 21 cases (17.:I8%), Klebsiella in

17 cases (14. 4%), Streptococcus faecalis in 7 cases (5. 9%), proteus in Streptococcus virians in 2 cases (1. 7%) and alkaligines faecalis and Enterobacter in 1 case (0. 8%) each. A mixed growth of 2 microorganisms was obtained from 4 blood specimens. Staphylococcus albus was 71. 4% sensitive to cotrimoxazole, 65.7% sensitive to Lincomycin, 57. 1% sensitive to each of Erythromycin and Methicillin, 17. 2% sensitive to ampicillin and only 8.6% sensitive co penicillin - G. 79.2% sensitive to cotrtrnoxazole, 58.3% sensitlve to methicillin and 41. 7% sensitive to erythromycin. It. showed 100'% resistance to btoh ampicillin and penicillin - G. Sensitivity to Centamycin and Kanamycin was not rested for both to cotrtrnoxazole, 64.7% sensitive to kanamycin and 11. 8% sensitive to arnpiciIlin.

Klebsiella. Was 100% sensitive to gentarnycin, 82.4% sensitive to cotrimoxazole, 64.7% sensitive to kanamycin and only 11. 8% sensitive to ampicillin. From only one specimen proteus was recovered which was 100% resistant to both gentamycin and kanamycin but 100% sensitive to cotrimoxazole .