Bacterial Mastitis in Lactating Women Attending Mirzakochackkhan Hospital during 2003-2004 and the Sensitivity Pattern of the Involved Bacteria

Introduction: Mastitis is an inflammatory condition of the breast and since it is usually associated with lactation , it is usually called lactational mastitis. Two major causes of mastitis are milk stasis and infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate bacterial mastitis in lactating women and to determine the sensitivity pattern of the involved bacteria. Method: A total of 203 milk samples were taken from puerperal women with clinical symptoms of mastitis attending Mirzakochackkhan Hospital during 2003-2004. Samples were examined by microscopic and cultural methods. After identification of bacteria by biochemical methods, disk diffusion method was used for determination of sensitivity pattern of bacteria. Results: From 203 samples, 56 samples (27.6%) were culture positive and 147 samples (72 .4%) were negative. Among 56 positive samples, 51 ones (91.1%) were positive for coagulase negative Staphylococcus and 5 samples were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Among 51 positive samples for coagulase negative Staphylococcus, 21 samples had more than 3 10 bacteria per milliliter. Isolated Staphylococcus aureus from 5 samples and isolated coagulase negative Staphylococcus from 21 samples were sensitive to flucxacilin, dicloxacilin, and cloxacilin. Conclusion: The results of this study show the role of Staphylococcus aureus. and coagulase negative Staphylococcus in infective mastitis.