Outbreak of cutaneous zygomycosis associated with the use of adhesive tape in haematology patients

J Hosp Infect. 2012 Jul;81(3):213-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2012.04.007. Epub 2012 May 23.

Abstract

We report an outbreak of cutaneous Rhizopus oryzae infection associated with adhesive polyethylene tapes used to stabilize peripheral venous catheters in four patients. All patients were suffering from haematological diseases; the infection severity was proportional to the duration of neutropenia. Intervention with systemic antifungal treatment and surgical debridement was required for resolution of the infection. The entire batch of tapes was withdrawn and the outbreak subsided.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Cross Infection / surgery
  • Debridement
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / epidemiology*
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Dermatomycoses / surgery
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Hematologic Diseases / complications*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucormycosis / drug therapy
  • Mucormycosis / epidemiology*
  • Mucormycosis / microbiology
  • Mucormycosis / surgery
  • Neutropenia
  • Rhizopus / classification
  • Rhizopus / drug effects
  • Rhizopus / genetics
  • Rhizopus / isolation & purification*
  • Surgical Tape / microbiology*
  • Surgical Tape / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents