Co-existent cross-infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae and group B streptococci on an adult oncology unit.

An outbreak of respiratory infection in an adult oncology unit is described where there was evidence of co-existent cross-infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 14 and Lancefield group B streptococcus type Ia. The presumed route of transmission was droplet spread from patient to patient. No further cases arose after the ward had been closed to new admissions and all symptomatic patients were treated with erythromycin. We suggest that patients with pneumococcal pneumonia on units housing elderly debilitated patients should be isolated. Infection control teams should be aware of the ability of Lancefield group B streptococci to spread by cross-infection among adult patients.