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Updated: May 21, 2026

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
The impact of group B streptococcus prophylaxis on late-onset neonatal infections
K L Ecker1, P K Donohue, K S Kim
1Division of Neonatology, Crozer Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA, USA. kelly.ecker@crozer.org
Insights
Late-onset neonatal infections show changing pathogens and rising antibiotic resistance, particularly with intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) use. This suggests IAP may identify infants at higher risk for resistant infections.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Late-onset neonatal infections pose a significant challenge in neonatal intensive care units.
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in treating these infections.
- Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) practices have evolved, potentially influencing microbial trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate trends in late-onset neonatal infections from 1990 to 2007.
- To identify risk factors associated with ampicillin/penicillin-resistant microorganisms in neonates.
- To assess the impact of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) on infection patterns and resistance.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 584 infants with positive cultures (blood, urine, CSF) between 8-30 days of age.
- Data divided into three epochs based on IAP practices.
- Comparison of pathogens and antibiotic resistance patterns across epochs.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in candidal infections observed over the study period (P=0.006).
- Increased incidence of Gram-negative and candidal infections noted in very low-birthweight infants.
- Escherichia coli demonstrated increasing ampicillin resistance over time (P=0.006); ampicillin/penicillin resistance correlated with IAP use (OR 2.05).
Conclusions:
- Shifting microbial patterns and increasing antibiotic resistance in late-onset neonatal infections are multifactorial.
- Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) use is associated with increased resistance, potentially identifying at-risk neonates.
- The rise in Candida infections warrants further investigation and targeted interventions.
Objective:
To determine trends in late-onset neonatal infections and risk factors for ampicillin/penicillin-resistant microorganisms.
Study Design:
Data on 584 infants with positive blood, urine or cerebrospinal fluid cultures for bacteria or fungi at 8-30 days of age from 1990 to 2007 were examined and divided into three epochs, based on intrapartum antibiotic prophylactic (IAP) practices. Pathogens and antibiotic resistance were compared among epochs.
Result:
The number of candidal infections increased over time for the entire population (P=0.006). There was an increased incidence of Gram-negative (P=0.009) and candidal infections (P=0.014) among very low-birthweight infants. Only Escherichia coli infections showed increasing ampicillin resistance over epochs (P=0.006). In regression analysis, ampicillin/penicillin resistance increased with IAP use (odds ratio 2.05).
Conclusion:
Changing microorganisms and increasing antibiotic resistance in late-onset neonatal infections are likely multifactorial but are increased with IAP use, which may identify an at-risk population. Increasing Candida infections require further investigation.
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