Letter: Bilateral breast abscess due to group B streptococcus.

Abstract

Sir .—We recently reported in theJournal39 cases of neonatal breast abscess (129:1031-1034, 1975). All were unilateral, and we did not find any instances of bilateral breast abscess recorded in the literature. In December 1975, an 8-day-old baby girl was hospitalized for bilateral breast infection. The mother first noted the redness and swelling on the morning of admission. Purulent material was expressed from both breasts. Gram-positive cocci were seen in the Gram-stained material and group B streptococci were cultivated from both specimens. The blood culture was sterile. Response to antibiotic therapy was rapid and surgical drainage was not required. This is our second experience with group B streptococcal breast infection. In August 1975, we treated a 2week-old baby with unilateral breast abscess. Streptococcus agalactiae was obtained from purulent material expressed through the nipple. That infant also had a sterile blood culture and cellulitis without abscess formation. Breast abscess can