Nonpuerperal Breast Infection

• Published in: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology Vol. 1995; no. 2; pp. 64 - 66
• Main Authors: Casas, C M, Pérez, M, Alados, J C, Fontes, J, Orellana, G, Aguilar, J M, Miranda, J A, de la Rosa, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 1995; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Alcaligenes; Proteus mirabilis; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Streptococcus milleri; Staphylococcus aureus; Breast abscess; microbiology; nonpuerperal mastitis
• ISSN: 1064-7449; 1098-0997
• DOI: 10.1155/S1064744995000330

Objective: We undertook a microbiological study of purulent specimens from women with symptomatic breast abscesses. Methods: Fifty-one purulent samples were collected in 2 periods (December 1991-April 1992 and January 1994-June 1994) from nonpuerperal breast abscesses in 44 patients attending our hospital. Results: One of the most frequently isolated microorganisms was Proteus mirabilis (9 patients, 20.4%), present as a pure culture in all but 1 specimen (isolated together with Peptostreptococcus spp.). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 10 specimens, 6 of which were post-tumorectomy abscesses. Polymicrobial anaerobic flora were isolated in 11 specimens (21.5%); Staphylococcus epidermidis in 4 (8%); and Streptococcus milleri, Alcaligenes sp., and mixed aerobic-anaerobic flora in 1 specimen each. The 7 remaining samples (13.7%) were negative bacteriological cultures. Conclusions: We draw attention to the frequent isolation of P. mirabilis in recurrent and torpid breast abscesses in 4 women in whom surgery was necessary in addition to antibiotic treatment.