Vol. 6, Issue 12 (2017)

Author(s):
Juri Bharat Kalitha and Amarendra Jha

Abstract:

Background: Ophthalmia neonatorum, an acute conjunctivitis occurring within the first 28 days of life, remains a significant cause of neonatal ocular morbidity. Early detection of causative organisms and understanding their antimicrobial resistance patterns are crucial for timely and effective treatment.

Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology and Neonatology, I-care Institute of Medical Sciences, Haldia, over a one-year period from October 2016 to September 2017. A total of 120 neonates presenting with clinical signs of ophthalmia neonatorum were included. Conjunctival swabs were collected under sterile conditions and subjected to Gram staining, culture, and antibiotic sensitivity testing using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method in accordance with CLSI guidelines. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests for significance.

Results: Of the 120 neonates, 68 (56.7%) showed positive bacterial growth. The predominant pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (30.9%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (17.6%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.8%). Gram-positive isolates showed highest sensitivity to vancomycin (96.8%) and gentamicin (90.6%), while gram-negative isolates were most sensitive to cefotaxime (92.3%) and ciprofloxacin (88.5%). Multidrug resistance was observed in 14.7% of isolates. A statistically significant association was found between delivery mode and microbial profile (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: The study underscores the need for routine microbial surveillance in ophthalmia neonatorum, especially in resource-limited settings. The data reinforce the importance of targeted antibiotic therapy based on local resistance trends to minimize complications and preserve neonatal vision.