MONITORING MULTIDRUG RESISTANT ELIZABETHKINGIA MENINGOSEPTICA IN NICU- A MALEFACTOR OF NEONATAL SEPSIS AND MENINGITIS

Abstract

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is a gram-negative bacillus which is a rare cause of opportunistic infections. Literature shows that this bacillus may cause early onset neonatal sepsis and meningitis in neonates however it is a rare cause of late onset sepsis or meningitis in neonates. We hereby discuss two cases of sepsis – one late onset and another early onset neonatal sepsis meningitis and the environmental surveillance done afterwards to locate the source of infection. Both the neonates were managed in same NICU. Initial laboratory investigations revealed sepsis and meningitis caused by E menigoseptica. E menigoseptica is a multidrug organism which is linked to high mortality cases and neurological sequelae so early detection, multidisciplinary intervention and involvement of infection control team plays a crucial role for effective management and prevention.