Bacillus species cultured repeatedly from the breastmilk of a donor milk mother

Abstract

A 33-year-old woman with no known comorbidities and a healthy baby donated breastmilk to a local milk bank. Bacillus species were cultured from recurrent batches of milk donated by this mother. All batches in which this skin commensal was detected subsequently had to be discarded. A contaminated breast pump apparatus was identified as the source of the contamination. The potential effect of the microbial contamination was explained to the mother to prevent emotional distress and allow her to continue breastfeeding. A good relationship between the microbiology department and donor milk bank ensured that the participant was not lost to the donor milk programme and that she did not unnecessarily switch to formula feeding.