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Antibiotic resistant staphylococci acquired during the first year of life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

M. L. Burr
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council, Epidemiology Unit, Cardiff
C. H. L. Howells
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory Service, Cardiff
P. W. J. Rees
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory Service, Cardiff
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Summary

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Nasal swabs were taken from 492 babies born consecutively to residents of two South Wales towns soon after their discharge from maternity hospitals. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 352 babies (72%) and in 79 (22%) of these it was resistant to at least one antibiotic. By the time these babies were a year old the prevalence of both sensitive and resistant strains had fallen, so that only 12% still carried nasal staphylococci, but 64% of these organisms were then resistant to penicillin. Administration of penicillin to the baby seemed to be a more important factor in selecting resistant organisms than other antibiotics given to the baby, any antibiotic treatment to other members of the household, or discharge from hospital.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

References

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