A study of three blood culture media for isolating genital mycoplasmas from obstetrical and gynaecological patients.

Mycoplasma species are often found colonising the female genital tract. Their ability to become invasive and pathogenic, however, is often ignored, since attempts may not be made to culture these organisms from the bloodstream. We have investigated the ability of three types of blood culture media to support the growth of genital mycoplasmas. The media studied included brain-heart infusion broth, brain-heart infusion broth supplemented with 30% V/V sucrose and fastidious anaerobe broth. Genital mycoplasmas were cultured from the latter medium only. Since this was the sole medium which was liquoid-free, the inhibitory effects of liquoid on Mycoplasma spp. is discussed. This study comprised an investigation of 75 patients in obstetric and gynaecological wards with postpartum or post-operative fever. Genital mycoplasmas were isolated from five (6.7%) patients, four with Ureaplasma urealyticum and one with M. hominis. The value of considering these organisms in the differential diagnosis of fever in 'at risk' patients and of including appropriate media for their isolation is emphasised.

Five days versus one day of penicillin as prophylaxis in elective neurosurgical operations.

Of 423 patients undergoing elective cranial and spinal operations, infections due to Staphylococcus aureus occurred in 3 of 217 (1.4%) receiving penicillin for 1 day, in none of 206 receiving penicillin for 5 days. There was no significant difference in rates of infection between the two groups receiving penicillin. It is concluded that penicillin for 1 day is as effective as penicillin for 5 days, in the prevention of wound infections due to S. aureus.