Virulence potential of enterobacteriaceae isolated from neonatal enternal feeding tubes

In recent years, there has been a rise in the incidence of neonatal infections due to Enterobacteriaceae including Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Serratia spp. These are major causative agents in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infections. Neonates, especially those born with low birth weight (< 2000g), are fed via a nasogastric tube. Despite recent concerns over the microbiological safety of infant feeds, there has been no consideration that the nasogastric enteral feeding tube may act as a site for bacterial colonisation and act as a locus for infection. Therefore bacterial analysis of used feeding tubes is of importance with regard to identifying risk factors during neonatal enteral feeding. The aims of this study were to determine whether neonatal nasogastric enteral feeding tubes are colonised by opportunistic pathogens in the Enterobacteriaceae, and whether their presence was influenced by the feeding regime. In this research a collection 224 Enterobacteriaceae strains previously isolated from the enteral feeding tubes of neonates on intensive care units have been analysed. This study describes the use of DNA finger printing, via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), to determine if the same strains were isolated on different occasions from the NICUs. Therefore indicating whether certain strains have colonised the NICUs leading to increased exposure and risk to the neonates.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Nottingham Trent University

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Alkeskas, AA

Language dc:language

en