Cross infection in diphtheria wards

Abstract

1. Evidence is adduced to indicate that cross infection occurred in 36·6% of a series of 246 patients in diphtheria wards. 2. In patients who were in hospital longer than 2 months it occurred in 68%. 3. Persistence of diphtheria bacilli in the upper respiratory tract was responsible for prolongation of hospitalization in 76% of cases in a series examined. 4. In 80% of these cases this persistence was a result of cross infection. 5. The administrative importance of cross infection is discussed.