In a level III NICU in India, among preterm neonates developing late-onset sepsis (onset after 72 hours of life), which organism is reported as the single most common blood culture isolate?

• A Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus
• B Klebsiella pneumoniae ✓
• C Staphylococcus aureus
• D Escherichia coli

Explanation

Indian multicenter surveillance data consistently show Klebsiella pneumoniae as the leading cause of late-onset sepsis in Indian NICUs, followed by other gram-negative rods and Staphylococcus aureus. This differs from high-income countries where coagulase-negative Staphylococcus predominates, and Indian postgraduate examinations follow the national convention. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, the key distractor, is the most common cause of late-onset sepsis globally and in Western units, but not in Indian series.

Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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