Control of a Staphylococcal Outbreak in a Nursery

Abstract

An outbreak of pathogenic staphylococci was recognized in a newborn and premature service. When conventional control measures failed, the phenomenon of bacterial interference was exploited. Deliberate colonization of infants was carried out with a relatively nonpathogenic, coagulase-positive, penicillin-sensitive<i>Staphylococcus</i>(502A). The procedure was carried out in a simple manner and was effective in controlling the outbreak. No major pyogenic lesions attributable to the 502A strain were noted in either the full-term or premature infants. Acquisition of the interfering strain by the infants was prevented if antibiotic drugs were administered or if staphylococci had already been acquired. The ability to isolate all coagulase-positive staphylococci, including 502A, from the umbilical site of premature infants decreased with increasing age of the patients.