Bacteria Isolated from Post-Partum Infections

Correspondence : Nahid Arianpour, Tehran, Iran. Tel: 912-2977306 Fax: 2188021913 E mail: [email protected] causes of maternal death for many decades (2). Infection made up 13% of pregnancy related deaths and was the fifth leading cause of death. In majority of instances bacteria responsible for postpartum infection are those that normally reside in the bowel (2). Most female pelvic infections are caused by bacteria indigenous to the female genital tract. This study was undertaken with an aim to determine bacterial species involved in post partum infections and also their abundance in patients admitted to at Khanevadeh hospital. In this study out of three different kinds of postpartum infections (i.e. genital, Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken with an aim to determine bacterial species involved in post partum infections and also their abundance in patients admitted to at Khanevadeh hospital. In this study out of three different kinds of postpartum infections (i.e. genital, breast and urinary tract), only genital infection is considered. Materials and Methods: Post partum infection among 6077 patients (inpatients and re-admitted patients) of Khanevadeh hospital from 2003 till 2008 was studied in this descriptive study. Samples were collected from patients for laboratory diagnosis to find out the causative organisms. Results: Follow up of mothers after delivery revealed 7.59% (461 patients) had post partum infection, out of which 1.03% (63 patients) were rehospitalized. Infection was more often among younger mothers. Bacteria isolated and identified were both aerobic and anaerobic cocci and bacilli, majority of which were normal flora of the site of infection. Though, some pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis,were also the causative agents. The commonest infection was infection at the site of episiotomy. Conclusion: Puerperal infection was detected in of 7.59% mothers. Bacteria isolated were both aerobic and anaerobic cocci and bacilli, majority of which were normal flora. However; some pathogenic bacteria were isolated.