The Control of Staphylococcus Aureus Infections in a Maternity Department

The source of infection in Pemphigus neonatorum

“…It was the type most commonly isolated from nasal swabs, and was usually present in profuse pure culture. No attempt was made to assess the distribution of the organism in other parts of the body, but it is probable that it was very widespread (Duncan & Walker, 1942;Knott & Blaikley, 1944). In similar circumstances, Allison & Hobbs (1947) have shown that the epidemic type could be isolated from the infants' clothes and bedding.…”

Breast Abscess and Staphylococcal Disease in a Maternity Hospital

“…Gibberd (1953) reported an incidence of 50% of mothers in one such epidemic. Most of the reports are linked with a previous or concurrent increase in staphylococcal disease in the infants delivered in the same maternity hospital (Knott and Blaikley, 1944;Pyle, 1948;Colbeck, 1949;Webb, 1954;Sherman, 1956;Ravenholt et al, 1957;Wysham et al, 1957). The mechanisms of infection of mothers during " epidemics " of puerperal breast abscess is probably different from that in the " endemically " occurring breast abscess following parturition, which is regarded as an uncommon but almost normal hazard of pregnancy.…”

Investigations of Staphylococcal Infection Acquired in Great Britain's Hospitals

“…In maternity departments there have been several outbreaks of infection (23,24) in which a single nurse who was a carrier of the epidemic type of staphylococcus seemed to be responsible for many cases of infection, and Jellard (25) has recently referred briefly to one such nurse who started outbreaks in several wards in wlicih she worked.…”