Molecular identification of species isolated from neonates hospitalized in Neonatal intensive care units and their mothers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Given the important role of spp. in skin diseases and other associated infections in neonates, this study aimed to investigate the presence and frequency of spp. in the skin of neonates hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units and their mothers using culture and accurate molecular-based methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 205 samples were collected from 130 neonates (>4-day-old) and 75 mothers. Isolation of spp. from the skin was performed using Leeming-Notman agar and modified Dixon agar media. To compare the microflora on the skin of the neonates and their mothers, a polymerase chain reaction-sequencing method was performed for spp. identification of 92 isolates obtained from neonates and their mothers. Moreover, possible associated risk factors for the colonization of spp. on the skin were recorded.

RESULTS

Cultures from 62.3% of neonates and 77.3% of mothers were positive for spp. growth. was the most prevalent isolated spp. found in the skin of the study population. It is noteworthy that a rare spp., , was isolated from the skin of one neonate. There was a 76% similarity between the mother-neonate isolate sequences results. The statistical analysis showed that the type of feeding is a significant (<0.001) associated factor for skin colonization.

CONCLUSION

The findings support the hypothesis that the colonization of in neonates is significantly influenced by that of the mother, and this may be associated with breastfeeding.