Neonatal Sepsis Epidemiology in a Rural Province in Southeastern Cambodia, 2015-2017

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2019 Jun;100(6):1566-1568. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0739.

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is the second most prevalent cause of neonatal deaths in low- and middle-income countries, and many countries lack epidemiologic data on the local causes of neonatal sepsis. During April 2015-November 2016, we prospectively collected 128 blood cultures from neonates admitted with clinical sepsis to the provincial hospital in Takeo, Cambodia, to describe the local epidemiology. Two percent (n = 3) of positive blood cultures identified were Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) and were presumed pathogens, whereas 10% (n = 13) of positive blood cultures identified were likely contaminants, consistent with findings in other published studies. No group B Streptococcus was identified in any positive cultures. The presence of GNB as the primary pathogens could help influence local treatment guidelines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Blood Culture
  • Cambodia / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Neonatal Sepsis / epidemiology*
  • Rural Population*