Introduction: Enterococci are one of the important global pathogens in neonatal septicemia considered as colonizers in past. Their gaining resistance has been highlighted mainly to Vancomycin and high level aminoglycosides.

Material & Methods: It was a retrospective study in which blood culture samples from neonatal intensive care unit received in the laboratory were considered. Processing of samples and identification of organisms were done as per standard guidelines.

Results: Enterococci accounted for 16 % of isolation rate. 78 % of them showed early onset septicemia with male predominance. Vancomycin resistance was observed in only one isolate (11 %) while high level aminoglycoside resistance in 80 % of them. Clinical history suggested low birth weight, prematurity, fever, catheterization and raised C- reactive protein levels.

Conclusions: The study shows upsurge of VRE and HLAR in neonatal septicemia with need of Active surveillance culture program for rapid identification of colonizers as the main cause of bacteremia.

Keywords: Enterococci, Neonatal septicemia, Vancomycin and high level aminoglycoside resistance.

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Dr Manali Hitenbhai Shah

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