Bacteriology of neonatal septicaemia in a rural referral hospital in South India

Out of 640 suspected cases of neonatal septicaemia studied, bacteraemia was detected in 255 (40 per cent) of tbe infants. Gram negative organisms were predominant (56 per cent) with Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, and Klebsiella as the commonest pathogens. Among the Gram positive organisms both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were equally prevalent. Staphylococci were mainly responsible for early onset infections, whereas Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas were the main organisms in late onset infections. Group B streptococcal infection was not encountered in this part of tbe country.