[Epidemiological survey of nosocomial infections. Pierre Wertheimer hospital. Lyons 1986-1991. Proposition for antibioprophylaxis].

A prospective survey of post-operative infections, conducted since 1986 at the Pierre Wertheimer Neurology Hospital, revealed an annual rate of infection varying between 2.9 and 7.3%. Definition criteria for each infection were given, including episodes of aseptic meningitis. The most frequently encountered infections were suppurations at the surgical site and meningitis. Staphylococci and enterobacteriacae, the most frequently isolated germs, were generally sensitive to antibiotics with the exception of coagulase negative staphylococci, causative agents in foreign body infections. Based on the epidemiological data and the pharmacokinetic and economic characteristics of the different antibiotics, a second generation cephalosporin was proposed for antibiotic prophylaxis. Vancomycin is an alternative choice in cases of allergy and when there is a risk of coagulase negative staphylococci infection.