Enterococcal Neonatal Septicemia

Abstract

Enterococci are among the leading cause of several human infections including bacteraemia, septicaemia, endocarditis, Urinary tract infections ,wound infections, neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Enterococci are frequently associated with the late onset septicemia in premature neonates. Most human clinical isolates are due to either E.faecalis (74-90%) or E.faecium (5-16%). Risk factors for development of bacteremia include immunosuppression, diabetes, malignancy, deep seated infections, prior instrumentation, long term hospitalization and use of broad spectrum antibiotics. In addition, to natural resistance, enterococci have developed plasmid and transposon mediated resistance The problem of multidrug resistant enterococci continues to create new therapeutic problems and dilemmas in neonatal septicemia.