title: Comparative Study in Early Neonates with Septicemia by Blood Culture, Staining Techniques and C - Reactive Protein (CRP).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the pathogenic bacteria in neo-natal septicemia by using various diagnostic techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study was designed to evaluate a feasible method to diagnose neonatal septicemia even at primary health centre level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were collected aseptically from 70 neonates. The specimens were inoculated into brain heart infusion broth and subcultures were performed with specific media. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of isolates was studied by Modified Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion technique and differentiate the isolates by staining methods. C-reactive protein (CRP) was evaluated by using standard kit method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 70 cases of childhood septicemia of age group 1-30 days, 37 had positive CRP, 36 were positive for BCS and blood culture was positive only in 41 cases, where predominant organism being Klebsiella species (n=28, 68.29%) followed by Escherichia coli (n=4, 9.76%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=3,7.31%), Proteus mirabilis (n=2,4.88%) and Coagulase negative staphylococcus (n=4,9.76%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that Klebsiella species as an important cause of neonatal septicemia. The isolated organisms were found to be highly sensitive to cefatoxime and amikacin. Hence, these antibiotics can be considered as the first drug of choice for neonatal septicemia.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Microbiology, Madurai Medical College , Madurai, India .
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dhanalakshmi
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, Department of Physiology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital , Chromepet, Chennai, India .
authors.forename: E Suguna
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Sivakumar
keywords: Acridine orange; Buffy coat smear; Gram stain; Septicemia