Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus bacteremia--a rising threat in the newborn infant

Based on a three year surveillance in the neonatal intensive and transitional care nurseries (NICU) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), an analysis of all cases of nosocomial bacteremia was made. From January 1982 to September 1984, a total of 57 nosocomial bacteremic episodes were identified. This gave a rate of 3.6 episodes per 100 NICU admissions or 6.5 per 1000 live hospital births. While coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) accounted for approximately 40 percent of all positive blood cultures, it was responsible for 73 and 66 percent of the nosocomial bacteremias in 1982 and 1983, respectively. In 1984, coagulase-negative staphylococcus was the responsible pathogen for 92 percent of all nosocomial bacteremic episodes. Of 139 infants weighing less than or equal to 1250 g at birth, 30 (22 percent) developed CNS bacteremia. The risk of coagulase-negative staphylococcus bacteremia was associated with low birth weight, respiratory distress, prolonged hyperalimentation, and multiple supportive measures. Infants were treated with vancomycin hydrochloride, as most of the CNS were resistant to methicillin and/or gentamicin. There were no deaths related to coagulase-negative staphylococcal septicemia.