Nosocomial infections in the neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Nosocomial infections are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in patients who require newborn intensive care. The most common bacterial pathogens are Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus species. Gram-negative enteric bacilli and Gram-negative environmental bacteria are involved in outbreaks and occasional cases of nosocomial infection. The incidence of fungal infection has increased over the past 10 years; fungemia is the most commonly recognized infection. Surveillance for nosocomial infection is essential to identify outbreaks and detect unsuspected reservoirs of pathogens. A variety of molecular techniques can be used to determine the genetic relatedness of pathogens. Prevention of infection requires the identification of contaminated equipment, education regarding infection control methods including hand washing, and the judicious use of antimicrobial agents.

Prevalência de Staphylococcus spp resistentes à meticilina isolados em uma maternidade escola da Cidade de Natal, Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

“…O isolamento de Staphylococcus coagulase negativa (CNS), tem sido descrito e demonstra que esse grupo tem desenvolvido resistência à vários antimicrobianos, inclusive à meticilina 14 16 . Dentre as espécies de CNS, Staphylococcus epidermidis é a mais prevalente em bacteremias, situando-se entre 74% e 92% dos Staphylococcus spp isolados em hemoculturas 4 .…”

Comparison between qualitative and semiquantitative catheter-tip cultures: laboratory diagnosis of catheter-related infection in newborns

“…In our study, the frequencies of microorganisms associated with CRI occurrence are in agreement with data in the literature, since CNS species were related to most of the cases observed (72.7%). Also, these are microorganisms that are knowingly related to most CRI episodes in NB (5,7,19). In this study, two cases of CRI by S. aureus and one case by Candida parapsilosis were also detected and both microorganisms are cited in the literature as frequent, although not prevalent, etiologic agents in CRI cases in NB (7,29).…”

“…The medical advances achieved in neonatal intensive care units (Neonatal ICU) in the last few decades have enabled a significant increase in preterm newborns' survival rates, particularly in those with low birth weight (17,19). Numerous resources have been routinely used in these units, such as mechanical ventilation, parenteral nutrition and the insertion of umbilical catheters as well as the extensive use of antibiotics and long periods in neonatal ICU.…”

“…Numerous resources have been routinely used in these units, such as mechanical ventilation, parenteral nutrition and the insertion of umbilical catheters as well as the extensive use of antibiotics and long periods in neonatal ICU. These factors, despite contributing to lives of newborns (NB) preservation, act as predisposing factors to the development of nosocomial neonatal infections (14,19,25,32,34,35).…”

Estudo da produção de beta -lactamase e sensibilidade às drogas em linhagens de estafilococos coagulase-negativos isolados de recém-nascidos

“…recém-nascidos de baixo peso, os quais são imunologicamente imaturos e freqüentemente requerem procedimentos invasivos para administração de substâncias nutritivas e medicamentosas (12).…”