Acquisition of Klebsiella aerogenes by neonates.

The acquisition of Klebsiella aerogenes by neonates born in hospital has been studied by sero- and klebecin typing. This organism was more commonly carried in the bowel of breast-fed babies than of bottle-fed babies. Only very rarely did babies acquire strains of K. aerogenes from their mothers. K. aerogenes was widely distributed in the ward environment and on the hands of nurses and mothers. Some strains were able to spread on the ward. These results are relevant to the control of K. aerogenes infection in maternity units.