[Outbreak of Enterobacter aerogenes in paediatric unit]

Within the framework of breast milk control the hygiene laboratory of Brest hospital isolates, on 3 January 1996 a strain of Enterobacter aerogenes secretory of cephalosporinase in the breast milk of a mother whose child was hospitalized in neonatalogy. On 15 April 1996 a new strain of E. aerogenes is isolated from another mother's breast milk. Until 18 August 1997, 21 samples of breast milk were tested positive to this bacteria. During the same period, E. aerogenes was isolated in 26 children under 1 year of age, 11 of which were infected and 15 colonized. The breast milk did not correspond to those of the mothers of the infected or colonized children. All the strains presented the same antibioresistance. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that the children's strains, those colonized or infected as well as those isolated in breast milk had the same restriction profile. The epidemiological study concerned the biberonnery-lactarium. The biberonnery's staff is the same as the staff of the lactarium. A portage was searched for among the members of the staff of these units, but without success. The search for E. aerogenes in the environment and in baby-food, others than breast milk was negative. Finally, we did not find any source for these contagions. The only hypothesis we have retained is that of a common source from the biberonnery-lactarium, but without being able to bring any proof to it. Following this epidemic, we have revised all the working modalities and practices with the staff of the biberonnery-lactarium.