An outbreak of infection with a gentamicin and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a neonatal unit

A strain of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to gentamicin and methicillin and many other antibiotics caused an outbreak of infection in a neonatal unit. Eleven infants and three staff members became colonized with the organism. One of the staff suffered from psoriasis. Two infants developed septicaemia following infections of intravenous drip sites and one of these subsequently died. The strain was eliminated by closure and thorough cleaning of the unit and the transfer of infected or colonised patients to an isolation ward specially opened for this purpose.