ASSESSMENT OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY IN LATE-ONSET SEPSIS

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus infection in neonates with late-onset sepsis (LOS) and evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolates.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 161 neonates aged 4–28 days admitted with LOS to the NICU of Nishtar Hospital, Multan, between November 2023 and November 2024. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed in the hospital laboratory to detect Staphylococcus aureus and determine its antibiotic susceptibility.

Results: The mean age of the neonates was 14.93 ± 7.41 days, with an average gestational age of 37.3 ± 1.8 weeks. Of the participants, 100 (62.1%) were male and 61 (37.9%) were female. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 18 (11.2%) cases. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed the highest sensitivity to vancomycin (94.4%), followed by amikacin (83.3%) and clindamycin (72.2%). Co-amoxiclav showed moderate sensitivity at 50%.

Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus is a notable pathogen in neonatal late-onset sepsis. Vancomycin, amikacin, clindamycin, and co-amoxiclav demonstrated good efficacy against these isolates, supporting their use in empirical or targeted therapy.