STAPHYLOCOCCUS-EPIDERMIDIS ISOLATION AND ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANCE IN A NEONATAL INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT

Bacterial ecology was studied in 1114 newborns (355 at term, 759 prete rm) admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during a three y ear period. Bacterial samples were taken in each newborn from external ear canal, pharynx and eyes in all patients, and from endotracheal tu be, umbilical catheter and blood in selected patients. The predominant flora was characterized by grampositive microorganisms (63.53%), Stap hylococcus epidermidis representing 34.68% of all isolated strains. S. epidermidis isolation increased significantly with time (p < 0.002) a nd was highest in summer. The percentage of S. epidermidis resistant s trains to oxacillin (63.8%) and to amikacin (17.8%) was high. This is the antimicrobial combination we commonly employ as empirical treatmen t of suspected bacterial infection in our NICU. Knowledge of character istics of local microbial flora seems important in order to optimize p reventive and therapeutic policies for neonatal infections.