Contamination of maternal milk
Tessier, F.; Binard, C.; Merger, R.; Daguet, G.
Journal de Gynecologie Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction 2(1): 45-52
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0368-2315 PMID: 4807225 Document Number: 63785
Analysis of 100 samples of human milk sent to the laboratory showed that 98% were contaminated with bacteria. 46% of the bacteria were potentially pathogenic; they were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pyocyaneus [Pseudomonas aeruginosa] and coliforms. As a check on these results a study was made on 50 women who had recently given birth, from whom milk was taken under the most aseptic conditions. Analysis of results showed that pathogenic bacteria were absent in all samples taken, so that human milk can be considered to be sterile except in cases where there is an obvious infection.