The relation of colonization of the perineum to bacteriuria and environmental contamination in spinally injured patients.

We have examined the relation of perineal colonization by coliforms to bacteriuria and to contamination of bedclothes and other environmental sites with these organisms in spinally injured patients. Perineal colonization was significantly associated with bacteriuria and with contamination of bedclothes, but not with contamination of other sites. There was no association between bacteriuria and contamination of bedclothes or the environment. The perinea of these and other patients may be an important source of contamination of the environment and indirectly of the hands of the patients and staff.