OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility in neonates with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).

METHODSSputum specimens for bacterial cultures were collected from 1173 neonates with LRTL between January 2005 and December 2006. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed after bacteria had been identified.

RESULTSA total of 707 pathogenic strains (60.3%) were identified, including 521 (73.7%) Gram-negative bacilli, 106 (15.0%) Gram-positive bacilli, and 80 (11.3%) fungi. E Coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and enteric bacilli were common cultured Gram-negative bacilli. Most strains of Gram-negative bacilli were susceptible to meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, the fourth generation cephalosporin, cebfoperazone/sulbactam and amikacin. Staphylococcus aureus and coagula-negative staphylococci (CNS) were common in the cultured Gram-positive bacilli. Staphylococcus aureus and CNS were susceptible to vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and piperacillin/tazobactam but were resistant to Penicillin.

CONCLUSIONSGram-negative bacilli predominate the pathogens of LRTI in neonates. E Coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are major pathogens.