COAGULASE-NEGATIVE STAPHYLOCOCCUS BACTEREMIA - A RISING THREAT IN THE NEWBORN-INFANT

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 15  (3) , 246-251
Abstract
Based on a 3 yr surveillance in the neonatal intensive and transitional care nurseries (NICU) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), an analysis of all cases of nosocomial bacteremia was made. From Jan. 1982-Sept. 1984, a total of 57 nosocomial bacteremic episodes were identified. This gave a rate of 3.6 episodes per 100 NICU admissions or 6.5/1000 live hospital births. While coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) accounted for approximately 40% of all positive blood cultures, it was responsible for 73 and 66% of the nosocomial bacteremias in 1982 and 1983, respectively. In 1984, coagulase-negative staphylococcus was the responsible pathogen for 92% of all nosocomial bacteremic episodes. Of 139 infants weighing .ltoreq. 1250 g at birth, 30 (22%) developed CNS bacteremia. The risk of coagulase-negative staphylococcus bacteremia was associated with low birth wt, respiratory distress, prolonged hyperalimentation and multiple supportive measures. Infants were treated with vancomycin hydrochloride, as most of the CNS were resistant to methicillin and/or gentamicin. There were no deaths related to coagulase-negative staphylococcal septicemia.