PEDIATRICS · 1968 · 12 citations · 0 references
MedicineInfectious DiseasesMicrobiologyMedical MicrobiologyNeonatologyPediatric Infectious DiseasesInfant Infectious DiseasesNeonatal EpidemiologyNeonatal ImmunologyNeonatal InfectionsNeonatal Infectious DiseasesPerinatal InfectionBacterial Infections In NewbornsEscherichia ColiHemagglutination AssaysNeonatal Infection EpidemiologyNeonatal Infectious Disease EpidemiologyNeonatal Urinary Tract InfectionPerinatal Transmission Of PathogensSerological Detection
A multiple drug-resistant strain of E. coli, serotype 04:H5, was found to be prevalent as a commensal organism among newborns in a premature nursery. Rectal colonization occurred earliest at 2 days of life (average 12 days) and continued up to 6 months. The umbilicus and throat also were often colonized. The organism was not found in the nursery environment; on rectal, vaginal or throat swabs from the mothers; or from rectal and throat cultures of nursery personnel. It was concluded that transmission probably occurred via the nurses' hands. Serological studies using indirect hemagglutination showed that most of the maternal bloods had significant titers, whereas the cord bloods did not. All of 27 colonized babies showed significant titer increases, and 11 non-colonized babies with measurable cord blood titers subsequently showed a decrease. There was no relationship between antibody level and occurrence or termination of colonization. The only disease manifestation of the study strain was that of urinary tract infection in two colonized male babies who had normal genitourinary systems.