Staphylococcal Cystitis in a Gynaecological Ward

Cross-infection of wounds in hospital is well recognized. Similar infection of the urinary tract received less attention until 0rskov (1952, 1954) showed that many urinary infections in certain Copenhagen hospitals were due to the same organism. She was able to identify the Klebsiella strains by their biochemical and antigenic properties. Kirby, Corpron, and Tanner (1956) mention instances in which cross-infection by antibiotic-resistant staphylococci outside the urinary tract was proved by phage-typing, but point out that there is no simple way of labelling coliform organisms so as to identify cross-infecting strains of the urinary tract. They described infections of the urinary tract with coliform organisms which were resistant to antibiotics. When such organisms were encountered in patients without previous antibiotic therapy, the cases were regarded as being due to cross-infection. The methods of sterilization of the catheters and irrigation solutions were satisfactory, and they suggested, therefore, that the organisms originated in the naso-pharynx of the hospital staff or from heavily contaminated blankets.