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Studies on transmission of Staphylococcus aureus in an isolation ward for burned patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Anna Hambraeus
Anna Hambraeus
Affiliation:
Institute of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical Bacteriology, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
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Summary

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A one-year epidemiological investigation was made in an isolation ward for burned patients. The transmission of Staphylococcus aureus was mainly studied. In spite of the design of the ward the cross-infection rate was high. In all, 49 of 69 patients were infected 114 times. Twenty-six of the strains causing infection were found in a patient only, 10 in a member of the staff only and 23 in both patients and staff the week before they caused a new infection. There were three epidemic outbreaks caused by three strains of Staph. aureus all belonging to phage group III; one was resistant to methicillin. Environmental studies with settle plates showed that the number of staphylococci dispersed by a burned patient was often very high. In 8% of the observations in occupied bedrooms the air count of Staph. aureus was more than 1800 col./m.2 hr. However, the counts of Staph. aureus in the corridor and service areas were low. This seems to indicate a rather good protection against airborne transfer of bacteria. Other routes of infection were probably of greater importance.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 71 , Issue 1 , March 1973 , pp. 171 - 183
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

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