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.

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.

Septicaemia and its unacceptably high mortality in the elderly.

During a period of two years the overall mortality rate among 218 patients with septicaemia was 22.4 per cent. Mortality among patients of over 60 years of age, however, was 36.