ENHANCEMENT OF BACTERIAL GROWTH IN AMNIOTIC FLUID BY MECONIUM

Growth curves of E. coli (0111:B4), L.monocytogenes (4b), and Staphylococcus aureus (Bartlett) were compared at 37° C. in amniotic fluid alone and in amniotic fluid with sterile meconium. Amniotic fluid supported bacterial growth poorly. However, when sufficient meconium was added to the amniotic fluid to give it a yellow-green color (1 per cent), it became a very good culture medium. This was most striking with E. coli and L. monocytogenes and was apparent by 6 hours. These observations suggest that the fetus who remains in meconium-stained amstained amniotic fluid may be exposed to far greater numbers of bacteria than one whose amniotic fluid does not contain meconium. © 1969 The C. V. Mosby Company.