Imperial College London

ProfessorShiraneeSriskandan

Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Infectious Disease

Professor of Infectious Diseases
 
 
 
//

Contact

 

s.sriskandan

 
 
//

Assistant

 

Ms Teyanna Gaeta +44 (0)20 3313 1943

 
//

Location

 

8N21ACWBHammersmith HospitalHammersmith Campus

//

Summary

 

Puerperal Sepsis and the Colebrooks

outbreaks of streptococcal sepsis


Dora Colebrook, came to Queen Charlottes in 1930 to study the source of group A streptococci that were causing so many deaths from puerperal sepsis. Using defined serological techniques, she undertook groundbreaking work to demonstrate that the streptococci that caused uterine infections and deaths were the very same streptococci present in the throats of those in the household or healthcare workers caring for the women. We are making her 1935 MRC report available here .

Imperial's new NIHR BRC AMR Colebrook research laboratory at Charing Cross, which opened at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,  is named in honour of Dora and her brother Leonard.

antibiotic treatment of puerperal sepsis


Leonard Colebrook undertook the first trials of antibacterials at Queen Charlottes hospital in 1936, evaluating Prontosil Red to treat streptococcal puerperal sepsis. Within a year use of sulphonamides was widespread, predating general use of penicillin by a decade.

Vials of Sulphonamide 1930's

Sulphonamides used by Leonard Colebrook and colleagues to successfully treat puerperal sepsis (Kenny & Colebrook, Lancet 1936) starting a revolution in antimicrobial use.


Treatment chart from first trial 1936, RCOG

Prontosil Rubrum: treatment chart from the first trial and patient Jan 1936 (courtesy RCOG archive)


Card index 1932-1939

Patients and some unfortunate staff who contracted group A streptococcus

Bacterial vials 1930's

Bacteria studied by Leonard and Dora Colebrook

 

Group A Streptococci 1932-1939

Group A streptococci 1932-39 studied by Dora Colebrook:  molecular re-analysis underway.