Circumcision and periurethral carriage of Proteus mirabilis in boys.

Swabs were taken for culture from the periurethral area and urethral meatus in 124 uncircumcised and 60 circumcised boys. Proteus mirabilis was grown from 28 (22.6%) swabs from uncircumcised boys and from only one (1.7%) swab from circumcised boys. This supports the idea that the prepuce may be the source of proteus urinary tract infection.