Neonatal Mastitis Due to Proteus mirabilis

Neonatal mastitis is, at present, a potentially serious condition, most often due to infection byStaphylococcus aureusand requiring early appropriate and vigorous therapy to avoid serious consequences.1,2 Review of the recent literature shows neonatal mastitis due to Gram-negative organisms to be well demonstrated,2-6but there appear to be no reports ofProteus mirabilisas a causative agent. The following is the summary of such a case. Report of a Case.—A 17-day-old female infant, the product of an uncomplicated full-term gestation and normal delivery, was admitted to the hospital with a one-day history of irritability and a red, swollen right breast. On admission, she was well developed and nourished and in no distress. Temperature (rectal) was 38 C; pulse rate, 152 beats per minute; respirations, 48/min; height, 48.9 cm; and weight, 3,296 gm. Findings from examination were unremarkable except that the right breast was red, warm, tender,