Etiology of Bacterial Sepsis and Isolate Resistance Patterns in Hospitalized Neonates in Zambia

Molecular and clinical insights into extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from neonatal sepsis in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Klebsiella bacterial strains harboring Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) enzymes are the primary culprits behind neonatal sepsis globally. These strains significantly impact clinical outcomes due to their multi-drug resistance patterns in local healthcare settings. In response to this spiraling threat, we studied the prevalence and clinical implications of ESBL-encoding genes in neonates hospitalized with confirmed sepsis.

METHODS

A correlational study was conducted on 51 neonates diagnosed with sepsis caused by ESBL-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae at Jimma Medical Center spanning from May 2022 to July 2023. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of the bacterial isolates were determined using the Kirby-Bauer diffusion test, while multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) techniques were employed to identify resistance genes. The correlation between resistance genes and treatment outcomes was analyzed using the phi coefficient (φ) with a significance level below 0.05. The data management was executed through the utilization of WHONET and STATA software platforms.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 26 (50.9%) male and the remaining 25 (49.1%) female neonates, with diverse clinical characteristics. All 51 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were 100% resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and ceftriaxone, but showed varying resistance profiles ranging from 30.8% to meropenem to 94.2% to ceftazidime. Notably, all isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance, with 23% of cases showing resistance to seven different antimicrobial classes. The most prevalent resistance genes identified were blaCTX-M (96.1%), blaTEM (94.1%), and blaSHV (88.2%). The majority of isolates (94.1%) carried at least two resistance genes, such as blaTEM and blaCTX (94.1%), blaTEM and blaSHV (86.2%), and blaCTX and blaSHV (86.2%). Notably, 84.3% of the bacteria harbored the trio of blaTEM, blaCTX, and blaSHV resistance genes, and only the presence of blaSHV in monogenic (φ = 0.4, P = 0.01) or the trio of blaTEM, blaCTX, and blaSHV genes (φ = 0.3, P = 0.02) showed positive correlation with neonatal mortality.

CONCLUSION

We observed a significant prevalence of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains among neonates. Moreover, ESBL-resistance genes were widespread, with the blaSHV gene showing a correlation with increased neonatal mortality. These findings emphasize the urgent need for enhanced infection prevention measures, robust antimicrobial resistance surveillance, innovative treatment strategies, antibiotic stewardship initiatives, further research into resistance transfer mechanisms as well as hierarchical predictors of neonatal mortality.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Bacterial profiles and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in neonatal sepsis at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia

Background

Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding the bacterial profiles and antibiotic susceptibility patterns causing neonatal sepsis is crucial for guiding appropriate treatment, improving patient outcomes, and combating the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Despite its importance, data regarding neonatal sepsis in the study area is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the bacterial pathogens and identify associated factors among neonates with suspected sepsis at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing laboratory records of neonates admitted for suspected sepsis from January 2019 to December 2021. Data were checked for completeness and encoded in a spreadsheet program. Then, data were exported to STATA version 17 for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were computed. The association between neonatal sepsis and potential risk factors was assessed using Pearson's chi-square test. A p-value of < 0.05, was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 1,236 neonates were included. Of these, 96.2% (1,190/1,236) had a fever before admission. The prevalence of culture-confirmed sepsis was 25.4% (314/1,236). Bacterial pathogens accounted for 23% (284/1,236) of these isolates, with Gram-negative bacteria being more prevalent at 75.3% (214/284) than Gram-positive bacteria at 24.7% (70/284). The most frequently isolated bacterial pathogens were K. pneumoniae 38.7% (110/284) and S. aureus 13% (37/284). The isolates demonstrated a high resistance level to commonly used antibiotics, with 61.6% exhibiting multidrug resistance. K. pneumoniae showed the highest rate of multidrug resistance (90.9%). Neonatal sepsis was associated with several factors, including fever before and after admission, hypothermia, increased respiration, suspected pneumonia, and suspected meningitis.

Conclusion

This study identified a high prevalence of culture-confirmed sepsis in neonates at UoGCSH, with Gram-negative bacteria, especially K. pneumoniae, dominating the isolated pathogens. The isolated bacteria exhibited alarming resistance to commonly used antibiotics, with a high proportion demonstrating multidrug resistance. Implementing effective antibiotic stewardship programs is crucial to optimize antibiotic use, reduce unnecessary prescriptions, and curb the spread of resistant strains.

Efficacy of Antibiotic Regimens for Pneumonia in Young Infants Aged 0-59 Days: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Pneumonia is a leading cause of death in young infants.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of different antibiotic regimens to treat young infant pneumonia on critical clinical outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, World Health Organization (WHO) Global Index Medicus, Cochrane Central Registry of Trials.

STUDY SELECTION

We included randomized controlled trials of young infants aged 0 to 59 days with pneumonia (population) comparing the efficacy of antibiotic regimens (intervention) with alternate regimens or management (control) on clinical outcomes.

DATA EXTRACTION

We extracted data and assessed risk of bias in duplicate. We used Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation to assess certainty of evidence.

LIMITATIONS

Trials were heterogeneous, which precluded data pooling.

RESULTS

Of 2601 publications screened, 10 randomized controlled trials were included. Seven trials were hospital-based (n = 869) and 3 were nonhospital-based (n = 4329). No hospital-based trials evaluated WHO-recommended first-choice regimens. One trial found the WHO-recommended second-choice antibiotic, cefotaxime, to have similar rates of treatment success as non-WHO-recommended regimens of either amoxicillin-clavulanate (RR 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.82-1.10) or amoxicillin-clavulanate/cefotaxime (RR 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.86-1.12). Among 3 nonhospital-based trials comparing oral amoxicillin to alternate regimens to treat isolated tachypnea among infants aged 7-59 days, there were no differences in treatment failure between amoxicillin and alternate regimens. Certainty of evidence was low or very low for all primary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

We found limited evidence to support the superiority of any single antibiotic regimen over alternate regimens to treat young infant pneumonia.

Antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacterales infections among children in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been estimated to be the highest in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The current study estimated the proportion of drug-resistant Enterobacterales causing infections in SSA children.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library to identify retrospective and prospective studies published from 01/01/2005 to 01/06/2022 reporting AMR of Enterobacterales causing infections in sub-Saharan children (0-18 years old). Studies were excluded if they had unclear documentation of antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods or fewer than ten observations per bacteria. Data extraction and quality appraisal were conducted by two authors independently. The primary outcome was the proportion of Enterobacterales resistant to antibiotics commonly used in paediatrics. Proportions were combined across studies using mixed-effects logistic regression models per bacteria and per antibiotic. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021260157).

Findings

After screening 1111 records, 122 relevant studies were included, providing data on more than 30,000 blood, urine and stool isolates. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. were the predominant species, both presenting high proportions of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, especially in blood cultures: 40.6% (95% CI: 27.7%-55%; I2: 85.7%, number of isolates (n): 1032) and 84.9% (72.8%-92.2%; I2: 94.1%, n: 2067), respectively. High proportions of resistance to other commonly used antibiotics were also observed. E. coli had high proportions of resistance, especially for ampicillin (92.5%; 95% CI: 76.4%-97.9%; I2: 89.8%, n: 888) and gentamicin (42.7%; 95% CI: 30%-56.5%; I2: 71.9%, n: 968). Gentamicin-resistant Klebsiella spp. were also frequently reported (77.6%; 95% CI: 65.5%-86.3%; I2: 91.6%, n: 1886).

Interpretation

High proportions of resistance to antibiotics commonly used for empirical treatment of infectious syndromes were found for Enterobacterales in sub-Saharan children. There is a critical need to better identify local patterns of AMR to inform and update clinical guidelines for better treatment outcomes.

Funding

No funding was received.

Antibiotic Use for Sepsis in Hospitalized Neonates in Botswana: Factors Associated with Guideline-Divergent Prescribing

In low- and middle-income countries, where antimicrobial access may be erratic and neonatal sepsis pathogens are frequently multidrug-resistant, empiric antibiotic prescribing practices may diverge from the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This study examined antibiotic prescribing for neonatal sepsis at a tertiary referral hospital neonatal unit in Gaborone, Botswana, using data from a prospective cohort of 467 neonates. We reviewed antibiotic prescriptions for the first episode of suspected sepsis, categorized as early-onset (EOS, days 0-3) or late-onset (LOS, >3 days). The WHO prescribing guidelines were used to determine whether antibiotics were "guideline-synchronous" or "guideline-divergent". Logistic regression models examined independent associations between the time of neonatal sepsis onset and estimated gestational age (EGA) with guideline-divergent antibiotic use. The majority (325/470, 69%) were prescribed one or more antibiotics, and 31 (10%) received guideline-divergent antibiotics. Risk factors for guideline-divergent prescribing included neonates with LOS, compared to EOS (aOR [95% CI]: 4.89 (1.81, 12.57)). Prematurity was a risk factor for guideline-divergent prescribing. Every 1-week decrease in EGA resulted in 11% increased odds of guideline-divergent antibiotics (OR [95% CI]: 0.89 (0.81, 0.97)). Premature infants with LOS had higher odds of guideline-divergent prescribing. Studies are needed to define the causes of this differential rate of guideline-divergent prescribing to guide future interventions.