Investigation and control of an outbreak of Enterobacter aerogenes bloodstream infection in a neonatal intensive care unit in Fiji

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2009 Aug;30(8):797-800. doi: 10.1086/598240.

Abstract

Ten neonates developed blood stream infection with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacter aerogenes in a neonatal intensive care unit in Fiji. The source of the outbreak was traced to a bag of contaminated normal saline in the ward, which was used for multiple patients. All isolates recovered from patients were indistinguishable from the bacteria recovered from the normal saline by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The outbreak was controlled using simple infection control practices such as reinforcement of strict hand hygiene policy, provision of single use vials of normal saline, and strict aseptic technique for injections.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / epidemiology*
  • Bacteremia / prevention & control
  • Bacteremia / transmission
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Cross Infection / transmission
  • Drug Contamination*
  • Enterobacter aerogenes / isolation & purification*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / prevention & control
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / transmission
  • Equipment Contamination*
  • Female
  • Fiji / epidemiology
  • Hand Disinfection
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infection Control
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Rehydration Solutions* / therapeutic use
  • Risk Factors
  • Sepsis / epidemiology
  • Sepsis / prevention & control
  • Sepsis / transmission
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Rehydration Solutions