Abstract
[Truncated abstract] The incidence of premature birth continues to rise in developed countries worldwide. Advances in neonatal care have resulted in the improved survival of extremely premature infants and consequently to a growing population of infants with prolonged and profound susceptibility to invasive bacterial infection. Late-onset sepsis (LOS) with coagulase-negative staphylococci, of which Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) is the most commonly isolated organism, is associated with significant neonatal morbidity, both directly and indirectly, largely due to adverse effects of inflammation. Therefore prevention and management LOS represents a key challenge to improving outcomes in preterm infants. Despite the large numbers of infants who suffer LOS and the current lack of early diagnosis or effective preventative interventions, our understanding of the interaction of the neonatal host innate immune system with SE is very limited. Exposure to chorioamnionitis constitutes another major risk factor for adverse long-term outcomes in this preterm population, but its potential effects on risks of LOS have not been studied. We hypothesised that exposure to chorioamnionitis influences the risk of LOS due to possible effects on postnatal innate immunity.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
Publication status | Unpublished - 2011 |