VIM-Klebsiella oxytoca outbreak in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This time it wasn't the drain

We describe an outbreak of VIM-carbapenemase Klebsiella oxytoca (VIM-Kox) in a NICU.

Prospective Epidemiological Surveillance:Systematically (weekly screening cultures) or on admission, if the patient had a history of previous colonization by VIM-Kox.Clinical cultures, done if infection was suspected.Other possible microorganism sources were investigated: their mothers (rectal microbiota), milk packages and preparation apparata in the lactodietary section, echocardiagram transductors, cribs, the sinks (faucets and drains), washing bowls, etc.Molecular typing was performed using the DiversiLab (bioMérieux) system on all VIM-Kox isolated from environment or patients (one by neonate).

We identified 20 VIM-Kox cases, the most only presented colonization, but 4 showed infection. Three of the ten sinks (drains) in our NICU, were positive for VIM-Kox. Another four drains harbored P.aeruginosa, S. maltophilia and/or Enterobacter sp. Nevertheless the VIM-Kox bacteria in the sinks (drains) were not the same as those in the patients, who showed three different strains.

A VIM-Kox colonization or infection outbreak in a NICU is described. Rather than environment, not even drains, the source of the outbreak was other patients. The outbreak was relatively brief, as a result of the rapidness with which appropriate measures were taken and followed.