Neonatal enteral feeding tubes as loci for colonisation by members of the Enterobacteriaceae.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The objective of this study was to determine whether neonatal nasogastric enteral feeding tubes are colonised by the opportunistic pathogen Cronobacter spp. (Enterobacter sakazakii) and other Enterobacteriaceae, and whether their presence was influenced by the feeding regime.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-nine tubes were collected from two neonatal intensive care units (NICU). A questionnaire on feeding regime was completed with each sample. Enterobacteriaceae present in the tubes were identified using conventional and molecular methods, and their antibiograms determined.

Results

The neonates were fed breast milk (16%), fortified breast milk (28%), ready to feed formula (20%), reconstituted powdered infant formula (PIF, 6%), or a mixture of these (21%). Ei

SUBMITTER: Hurrell E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2749046 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature