Anna King

EPIDEMIC MULTIRESISTANT ESCHERICHIA COLI INFECTION IN WEST LAMBETH HEALTH DISTRICT

A year-long outbreak of multiresistant Escherichia coli K52 H1, predominantly serogroup O15, is reported from south east London. Most patients had urinary tract infections, some with septicaemia; but some cases of septicaemia were associated with pneumonia, meningitis, and endocarditis--unusual infections for E coli. 3 of these patients died. The organism was acquired in the community, and its source is still being investigated.

Control of respirator-associated infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract The efficacy of nebulised alcohol and formaldehyde in a chamber (Aseptor) specially designed for disinfecting automatic lung ventilators has been studied. Bacteriological examination of the respirators after disinfection, and a study of the epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in an intensive-care unit (I.C.U.), suggest that the alcohol method did not disinfect the respirators but that the formaldehyde method was effective, bringing to an end endemic Ps. aeruginosa infection and contamination in the I.C.U.