Bacterial Pathogens and Evaluation of a Cut-Off for Defining Early and Late Neonatal Infection
Pavla Kucova,
Lumir Kantor,
Katerina Fiserova,
Jakub Lasak,
Magdalena Röderova,
Milan Kolar
Affiliations
Pavla Kucova
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Lumir Kantor
Neonatal Department, University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Katerina Fiserova
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Jakub Lasak
Neonatal Department, University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Magdalena Röderova
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Milan Kolar
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Bacterial infections are an important cause of mortality and morbidity in newborns. The main risk factors include low birth weight and prematurity. The study identified the most common bacterial pathogens causing neonatal infections including their resistance to antibiotics in the Neonatal Department of the University Hospital Olomouc. Additionally, the cut-off for distinguishing early- from late-onset neonatal infections was assessed. The results of this study show that a cut-off value of 72 h after birth is more suitable. Only in case of early-onset infections arising within 72 h of birth, initial antibiotic therapy based on gentamicin with ampicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid may be recommended. It has been established that with the 72-h cut-off, late-onset infections caused by bacteria more resistant to antibiotics may be detected more frequently, a finding that is absolutely crucial for antibiotic treatment strategy.
