Bacterial agents in neonatal septicaemia in Calabar, Nigeria: review of 100 cases.

This study of bacterial isolates in 100 cases of proven neonatal septicaemia has shown Staphylococcus aureus and coliform bacteria as the dominant Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms respectively. Most Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to gentamicin, while streptococci were sensitive to ampicillin and penicillin. On the basis of this antimicrobial sensitivity pattern, the combination of gentamicin with either ampicillin or penicillin appears appropriate in initial therapy of neonatal septicaemia.