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An outbreak of candidiasis in a special care baby unit: the use of a resistogram typing method
Insights
A special care baby unit experienced a candida outbreak affecting 12 neonates. Investigations suggest cross-infection, possibly spread by staff hands, with antibiotic therapy potentially contributing to the increased incidence of fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal infections
- Medical microbiology
- Infection control
Background:
- Candida infections pose a significant risk to vulnerable neonates in special care settings.
- Outbreaks in neonatal units require prompt investigation to identify sources and transmission routes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an outbreak of Candida infections in 12 neonates within a special care baby unit.
- To identify potential sources of infection and transmission pathways.
Main Methods:
- Colonization screening of all neonates in the unit.
- Environmental sampling for Candida.
- Hand hygiene sampling of healthcare staff.
- Resistogram typing of Candida isolates to determine strain relatedness.
Main Results:
- Multiple Candida strains were identified, indicating probable cross-infection among neonates.
- Transmission may have occurred via the hands of healthcare staff.
- The use of multiple antibiotic therapies in the unit was noted as a potential contributing factor to the increased infection rate.
Conclusions:
- The outbreak highlights the importance of stringent infection control measures in neonatal units.
- Staff hand hygiene and judicious antibiotic use are critical in preventing Candida transmission and outbreaks.
Abstract:
An outbreak of candida infections involving 12 neonates in a special care baby unit is reported. An investigation of colonization of all the babies in the unit was made together with the sampling of the environment and hands of staff. Resistogram typing of isolates indicated the presence of several strains with probable cross-infection. Transmission was possibly by the hands of staff, but multiple antibiotic therapy may have played a role in the increased incidence of infection in the unit.