High prevalence of antimicrobial resistance to initial empirical antibiotic therapy in neonatal sepsis in Bengaluru, India - A multicentre study

Data about epidemiologic and microbiologic patterns of neonatal sepsis in specific regions of low- and middle-income countries can help improve management and stimulate prevention efforts. We conducted a multicentre study within a large metropolitan region in South India to describe the burden of neonatal sepsis; and identify the antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of causative organisms. In a collaborative network of six neonatal intensive care units, standardized data were collected on every admitted neonate with a positive blood culture from June 2020 to May 2022. The frequency of sepsis, the organisms, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and mortality were analysed. Factors associated with lack of 'on-target' initial empirical antibiotic therapy were identified through univariate and multivariate analysis. Among 6229 admissions, the incidence of sepsis was 3.5%. Klebsiella (30%), Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (13%), and Escherichia coli (10%) were the commonest organisms. The overall incidence of multidrug resistance among Gram-negative organisms was 26%, with organism-specific incidence as follows: Klebsiella (48%), Acinetobacter (81%), and E. coli (45%). The organisms were sensitive to one or more of the initial empirical antibiotics used ('on-target') in 48% [95% confidence interval (CI) 45-58%] of cases. Mortality was higher in those neonates where initial antibiotic therapy was not 'on-target' (Relative risk (RR): 2.2, 95% CI 1.06-4.9). To conclude gram-negative septicaemia constituted 60% of the burden of neonatal sepsis. Klebsiella pneumonia was the predominant organism. Multidrug resistant organisms were highly prevalent. Initial empirical antibiotic therapy was not 'on-target' more than 50% of the time and was associated with higher mortality.