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Outbreak of Candida parapsilosis in a neonatal intensive care unit: a health care workers source

Rigoberto Hernández-Castro1, Sara Arroyo-Escalante, Erika M Carrillo-Casas

  • 1Dirección de Investigación, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico. rhc@servidor.unam.mx

European Journal of Pediatrics
|December 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Nosocomial neonatal candidiasis caused by Candida parapsilosis is a significant threat to premature infants. This study identified two genotypes linked to healthcare worker transmission, highlighting the need for improved hand hygiene in neonatal intensive care units.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Microbiology

Background:

  • Nosocomial neonatal candidiasis poses a significant challenge in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
  • Candida parapsilosis is an opportunistic pathogen frequently implicated in healthcare-associated infections among vulnerable infant populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the source and transmission dynamics of a Candida parapsilosis outbreak in preterm infants.
  • To identify the molecular relatedness of C. parapsilosis isolates from infected neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene for Candida species identification.
  • Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis to determine the molecular relationship between C. parapsilosis isolates.
  • Clinical data review of affected preterm infants in the NICU.

Main Results:

  • Eight isolates were confirmed as Candida parapsilosis, ruling out other Candida species.
  • RAPD analysis revealed two main genotypes of C. parapsilosis responsible for the outbreak.
  • Findings suggest cross-infection occurred, potentially through healthcare workers' hands.

Conclusions:

  • Candida parapsilosis can cause nosocomial infections in preterm infants through horizontal transmission.
  • Noncompliance with hand hygiene protocols by healthcare staff is a likely contributing factor.
  • Strict adherence to infection control measures, particularly hand hygiene, is crucial in preventing neonatal candidiasis outbreaks.

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