R plasmids in enterobacteriaceae from the hospital environment.

R plasmids have been demonstrated in several group of strains of enterobacteriaceae from hospital environment. R + enteropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from several items of baby-care as well as from the pre-prepared baby food in a newborn unit. Strains from environmental samples are thought to be identical with those causing nosocomial gastroenteritis of babies. From hospital waste waters of another larger country hospital we could isolate R + strains of Salmonella typhimurium and R + protei, both associated with occurence of gastrointestinal or urological hospital infections. R-factor-carrying strains of E. coli have been isolated also from surface water samples from the area surrounding the hospital monitored.