Abstract
Objective
To assess the occurrence of enteric gram-negative bacilli (EGNB) bloodstream infections
(BSI) in a neonatal intensive care setting during a 17-year period in which a consistent
antibiotic treatment program was in place. To document infections, outbreaks, or epidemics,
emergence of antibiotic resistance, clinical correlates, and outcomes of the most
prevalent EGNB (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae).
Methods
This study analyzed demographic, clinical, and bacteriologic information from 360
infants born 1986-2002 who developed 633 blood culture—proven BSI. A total of 121
EGNB were isolated (E coli, K pneumoniae, and E cloacae). Early-onset BSI were discovered within 48 hours from birth, and late-onset BSI
were those that occurred thereafter. Suspected early-onset BSI were treated with ampicillin
and gentamicin, suspected late-onset BSI with vancomycin and gentamicin. Antibiotics
were changed on the basis of organism antimicrobial susceptibility.
Results
Early-onset BSI were noted in 52 of 21,336 (244/100,000) live births (1986-1991),
40 of 20,402 (196/100,000) live births (1992-1997), and 25 of 17,926 (139/100,000)
live births (1998-2002). Of these cases, 39 were caused by E coli and 4 by K pneumoniae. Antibiograms for E coli isolated during the last 5 years of the study showed an increase in antibiotic resistance
that coincided with obstetric group B streptococcus antepartum antibiotic prophylaxis.
Group B streptococcus declined from 41 to 4 cases from the first to the last period.
Late-onset BSI increased from 111 to 230 cases from the first to the second 6-year
study period and declined modestly (171 cases) during the last. Fifteen percent (78
cases) of late-onset BSI were caused by EGNB, 5% by other gram-negative bacilli, 67%
primarily by coagulase-negative staphylococcus, and 13% by fungus. Nonspecific clinical
and hematologic signs of late-onset BSI were similar across EGNB species, but necrotizing
enterocolitis was often associated with E coli, whereas pneumonia and prolonged thrombocytopenia characterized K pneumoniae infections. No outbreaks or epidemics were observed, and strains of EGNB with evidence
of extended spectrum beta-lactamase production were never isolated.
Conclusion
Antepartum antibiotic prophylaxis may have increased antibiotic resistance in E coli isolates from early-onset BSI but has dramatically decreased group B streptococcus
infections. Late-onset BSI caused by EGNB increased, but without changes in antibiotic
susceptibility. In spite of medical advances, E coli, K pneumoniae, and E cloacae remain responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, especially in very low
birth weight infants.
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Article info
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Columbus, Ohio
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© 2004 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
