title: Types of Bacteria associated with Neonatal Sepsis in Al-Thawra University Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen, and their Antimicrobial Profile.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to investigate the organisms causing sepsis in the Neonatal Unit at Al-Thawra Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen, determine their resistance to antibiotics, and recommend policy for empirical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 158 neonates having one or more signs of sepsis, and aged from 0 to 28 days, were enrolled in this study. A blood sample was taken from each subject, cultured, and then antibacterial susceptibility tests were performed for isolates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  90 (57%) cases yielded positive cultures. Early-onset sepsis showed higher positive culture results (61.7%) than late-onset sepsis (32%). Significant positive culture results were found among the group with birth weight 0.9-2 Kg (78.6%). Gram negative bacteria constituted 97.8% of the total isolates, of which Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant pathogen (36.7%), followed by Pseudomonas species (30.0%). The commonest symptoms among the cases were respiratory distress (72.2%), jaundice (62.2%), cyanosis (51.1%), and lethargy (47.8%); the mortality rate was 27.8%. All Gram negative bacterial isolates were sensitive to imipenem and some isolates were sensitive to fourth-generation cephalosporins, but most isolates were highly resistant to the majority of other antibiotics tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gram negative organisms were the most frequent causative agents of bacterial sepsis, which is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in the newborn, and particularly in those of very low birth weight. It can also be concluded that imipenem and fourth-generation cephalosporins can be used for empirical treatment of bacterial sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sana'a University, Yemen;
authors.forename: Hassan A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Al-Shamahy
authors.forename: Amal A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sabrah
authors.forename: Abdul Baki
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Al-Robasi
authors.forename: Samarih M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Naser