Neonatal staphylococcal enterocolitis: Association with indwelling feeding catheters and S. aureus colonization

Bacterial Contamination of Enteral Nutrient Solutions: Intestinal Colonization and Sepsis in Mice after Ingestion

“…Several cases of serious infections have been traced to contaminated feeding solutions or equipment. 1,10,11,21,22 In our animal model, the recovery of orally ingested bacteria by rectal wash sampling was used to assess the risks of colonization and infection. Using an organism which was not part of the normal intestinal flora permitted the identification of the marker organisms among the mixed microbial flora of the intestine.…”

Staphylococcal Enterocolitis: Forgotten but Not Gone?

“…In infants, the major predisposing factors for SEC are prematurity and low birth weight, although these may be surrogate markers for prolonged hospitalization, which is another risk factor for nosocomial infection. Preceding nasal colonization with S. aureus after feeding tube placement has been shown to be a risk factor [10]. The presentation of SEC can be differentiated from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) caused by gram-negative organisms by the absence of clinical findings usually associated with NEC, such as bile-stained gastric aspirates, melena, and rectal bleeding [10], and by the radiologic absence of pneumoperitoneum or pneumatosis intestinalis [10][11][12].…”

“…Preceding nasal colonization with S. aureus after feeding tube placement has been shown to be a risk factor [10]. The presentation of SEC can be differentiated from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) caused by gram-negative organisms by the absence of clinical findings usually associated with NEC, such as bile-stained gastric aspirates, melena, and rectal bleeding [10], and by the radiologic absence of pneumoperitoneum or pneumatosis intestinalis [10][11][12]. Although S. aureus may be isolated from the stool of asymptomatic newborns, the number of organisms isolated is very low [13].…”

“…Although S. aureus may be isolated from the stool of asymptomatic newborns, the number of organisms isolated is very low [13]. By way of contrast, in infants with SEC, S. aureus predominates in gram stains and cultures of stool specimens [1,10,11,13]; both gram stain and culture results normalize after recovery [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Microbial aspects of home enteral nutrition–a discussion

“…Detailed discussions of the theoretical and actual consequences of consuming enteral feeds contaminated with bacteria have been presented by Casewell (1982) and Anderton (1983). Many reports have now been published that discuss actual cases of gastrointestinal colonization, infection and septicaemia in patients who receive contaminated enteral feeds (Gutman et al, 1976;Casewell, 1979;Pottecher et al, 1979;Schreiner et al, 1979;Casewell et a]., 1981; Baldwin et al, 1983; Casewell & Philpott-Howard, 1983; Levy et a]., 1989). In addition, in an article highlighting the bacteriological hazards of contaminated feeds, Casewell (1982) stated that 'there seems to be no reason why, sooner or later, enteric pathogens will not be involved with obvious consequences'.…”