An outbreak ofPseudomonas aeruginosa(pyocyanea) infection in a Premature Baby Unit, with observations on the intestinal carriage ofPseudomonas aeruginosain the newborn

An outbreak of infection in a Premature Baby Unit due to a single strain ofPseudomonas aeruginosais described. The outbreak lasted for 16 months, during which this organism was isolated from the faeces of 99/418 premature babies, many of them being symptomless carriers. There were seven deaths due to the infection. The source of the epidemic was not found. The main reservoir of infection was the babies' faeces. Though many full-term babies were symptomless carriers of the epidemic strain ofPs. aeruginosa, they were not ill. Measures for control of the outbreak, and the aetiology of neonatal intestinal infection withPs. aeruginosaare discussed.