Prevention of mastitis by measures against bacterial invasion of the nipple
Sasse, H.; Gillert, K.E.; Hoffbauer, H.
Die Medizinische Welt 24(14): 549-551
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8512 PMID: 4704285 Document Number: 68790
At the University Clinic, where Staphylococcus aureus was ubiquitous, smears taken from the nipples and areoles of 100 women during their 6-day stay showed an incidence of Staph. aureus of 16, 52.5, 61.5, 60 and 69.5% on days 1-4 and 6 respectively; Staph. albus was invariably present. In a further 130 women, a combination of spraying the nipples and areoles with Nebacetin spray (neomycin/bacitracin dusting powder) and disinfecting hands of nursing personnel resulted in a reduction in % smears containing Staph. aureus to 0, 0, 7.7, 7.7 and 15 on days 1-5 respectively; again, Staph. albus was invariably present. Follow-up of the 2 groups of patients 2 months after leaving the Clinic showed puerperal mastitis incidences of 23.2 and 7.14% respectively. Staph. aureus was not detected in 30 women during pre-natal consultation or in 30 parturient women in the delivery room.