Elizabethkingia anophelis and Association with Tap Water and Handwashing, Singapore

Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Sep;24(9):1730-1733. doi: 10.3201/eid2409.171843.

Abstract

We report an Elizabethkingia anophelis case cluster associated with contaminated aerators and tap water in a children's intensive care unit in Singapore in 2017. We demonstrate a likely transmission route for E. anophelis to patients through acquisition of the bacteria on hands of healthcare workers via handwashing.

Keywords: Elizabethkingia; Elizabethkingia anophelis; ICU; Singapore; aerator; alcohol handrub; bacteria; handwashing; intensive care unit; outbreak; pediatrics; tap water; water.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross Infection / diagnosis*
  • Cross Infection / etiology
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Flavobacteriaceae / isolation & purification*
  • Flavobacteriaceae Infections / diagnosis*
  • Flavobacteriaceae Infections / etiology
  • Flavobacteriaceae Infections / microbiology
  • Hand Disinfection*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Male
  • Singapur
  • Water Microbiology*
  • Water Supply*