Study of postoperative chest infections with particular emphasis on those caused by Haemophilus influenzae.
Fifteen per cent of patients admitted to a male general surgical ward were found to be carrying Haemophilus influenzae. Except for patients with chronic bronchitis, who developed an infection with the same micro-organism, carriage did not predispose patients to postoperative chest infection. Age, heavy smoking, and abdominal surgery increased the likelihood of respiratory infection after operation. H influenzae accounted for 58% of bacterial pathogens isolated from sputum, and most infections occurred within 48 hours of operation. Chemotyping showed that most infections were caused by different strains, and cross infection by H influenzae seemed to be rare. Cefuroxime given during anaesthesia did not prevent postoperative chest infection.
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000382:microbiology; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012907:Smoking; D013997:Time Factors