Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients
13:50

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients

Published on: June 11, 2011

Nosocomial outbreak of Microbacterium species bacteremia among cancer patients

J Alonso-Echanove1, S S Shah, A J Valenti

  • 1Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. jalonso-echanove@cdc.gov

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|August 23, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Microbacterium species infections, previously rare, caused bacteremia in oncology patients, leading to one death. Central venous catheters were identified as a significant risk factor for these nosocomial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Limited data exists on Microbacterium species infections, including their transmission and impact.
  • Sporadic cases of Microbacterium species (formerly CDC groups A-4 and A-5) have been reported.

Observation:

  • An outbreak of 8 symptomatic bacteremia episodes caused by Microbacterium species occurred in 6 oncology patients.
  • The outbreak took place at Maine Medical Center between July 26 and August 14, 1997.
  • One patient succumbed to the infection, highlighting potential mortality.

Findings:

  • All isolates were identified as Microbacterium species with identical DNA profiles.
  • A retrospective cohort study identified central venous catheter use as the strongest risk factor (RR 3.2, P<.0001).

Implications:

  • This outbreak underscores the significant morbidity and mortality associated with Microbacterium species in immunocompromised patients.
  • The findings confirm the potential for epidemic nosocomial transmission of these bacteria.
  • Highlights the need for vigilance and infection control measures in healthcare settings, particularly for vulnerable populations.

More Related Videos

Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer08:12

Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Published on: March 14, 2019

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...