The Influence of Methods of Collection and Storage on the Bacteriology of Human Milk

Abstract

Staphylococcus epidermidis and other organisms from the skin were found to be the commonest contaminants in 21 samples of human milk donated to a milk bank. Only 2 samples contained enterobacteria; no β‐haemolytic streptococci were isolated. Data presented show the difference between bacterial numbers in the first 10 ml and subsequent secretions of milk when drawn sequentially. Refrigerated storage led to the growth of some organisms in the milk; no growth occurred in milk stored at −18°C. A miniaturized resazurin dye test was devised but preliminary observations showed that it had a limited value in detecting rapidly milk of poor bacteriological quality.