Aim: To investigate the outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC), mortality, antimicrobial resistance and associated risk factors in the neonatal intensive care unit. Method: Eighteen blood culture samples from neonates and twenty swab samples from different neonatal intensive care unit surfaces were collected. The VITEK 2 was used to confirm the isolates and generate the antibiogram. PCR was used to identify blaNDM. Results: Eighteen samples tested positive for BCC, and 10/18 (55.5%) of the neonates died. 13/18 (72%) of the neonates had late-onset neonatal sepsis, and 10/18 (55%) had low birth weight. Resistance to minocycline and chloramphenicol was 100%, 72.2% to meropenem; 72.2% NDM gene was found in neonates and was 20% from the environment. Conclusion: Outbreak of NDM-producing BCC resulting in high neonatal mortality in NICU.
Keywords: Burkholderia cepacia complex; NDM; antimicrobial resistance; neonatal septicemia.
Neonatal septicemia, or blood poisoning, is a dangerous illness in newborns. It is caused by bacteria or other infections entering the blood and spreading. Pregnancy, labor, delivery and exposure after birth can result in infection of the newborn. Neonatal septicemia kills 700,000 babies worldwide, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria can cause infections in people with weaker immune systems or other disorders. They are particularly dangerous in hospitals, as they can cause chronic lung problems. This study collected blood samples from newborns with blood poisoning. Most samples that contained Burkholderia cepacia complex were not susceptible to drugs. Four of the newborns carried the same bacteria, indicating that hospital staff should practice hand washing and equipment and environmental cleaning to prevent the spread of the bacteria.