CLINICALLY AND EPIDEMIOLOGICALLY UNUSUAL INFECTION WITH ESCHERICHIA-COLI 0 111-B4 ON A NEWBORN DIVISION

An outbreak of infection with the classical dyspepsia Escherichia coli type 0 111: B4 occurred at a newborn division of a county hospital. During the course of 3 mo., 22 newborn children fell seriously ill. Only 2 of these 22 children were nursed before the onset of the infection; all the others were artificially fed. Three of the afflicted children developed a serious sepsis. One child died of pyocyaneus sepsis. The children were treated with infusions and given special food supplements prepared with low-fat milk. Children (13) were fed parenterally for a longer period of time. The source of infection was the pipes of sinks in the delivery room and the cribs of the newborn division. The source of infection was eradicated and the disease was brought under control. Microbiological resistance toward common antibiotics was noted, except toward gentamycin to which the bacteria proved sensitive.