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Staphylococcal sepsis in mothers and newborn babies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

M. S. Spink
M. S. Spink
Affiliation:
From the Department of Pathology, Royal Infirmary, Blackburn
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A serious outbreak of staphylococcal infections in the maternity units in Blackburn was investigated. There were considerably more than one hundred cases of breast abscesses altogether, well over half of which occurred in primiparae. Staphylococcus aureus, phage type 80, was the predominating organism throughout the outbreak and at the peak period during the early part of the outbreak this type was responsible for nearly 80% of the infections.

After the introduction of a number of procedures for the general reduction of cross-infection the incidence of breast abscess fell markedly and a controlled trial of an antibacterial cream, containing neomycin and hibitane, which was applied to the nasal mucosa of all infants and mothers in the test group of patients, was undertaken. The conditions obtaining in the test and control groups were identical in every way except that the control patients did not receive the neomycin-hibitane cream. There were about 1250 mothers and infants each in the test and control groups; the incidence of breast abscesses in the test group was 0·8% and in the control group it was 2·7%. The method adopted for the detection and treatment of carriers among the nursing staff broke down on two occasions; this fact and the emergence of an unforeseen source resulted in a larger number of infections than should have occurred. Had it not been for these incidents there is little doubt that the trial would have shown more conclusively the effectiveness of the neomycinhibitane cream, by the method laid down, in reducing cross-infection.

Investigation of the bacterial flora on the nasal mucosa of over 1000 infants in the control group yielded results of considerable interest. Of 300 cases where there was early colonization by Staph. albus, this organism established its dominating position in 70% of the cases and it was not subsequently displaced by Staph. aureus. The significance of this observation and the evidence favouring nasal dissemination of Staph.aureus as the most important cause of hospital cross-infection are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 60 , Issue 1 , March 1962 , pp. 105 - 112
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1962

References

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