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WGS Analysis of Staphylococcus warneri Outbreak in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Xiang Zhang1, Yu Zhou2,3, Lu Fu4
1Department of Infection Management, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
Infection and Drug Resistance
|October 8, 2024
Summary
Staphylococcus warneri caused a neonatal intensive care unit outbreak linked to a milk preparation workbench. Enhanced environmental disinfection and protocols stopped further hospital-acquired infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Staphylococcus warneri is an opportunistic pathogen causing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
- Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are vulnerable to outbreaks of resistant bacteria.
- Effective control of HAIs requires understanding pathogen transmission dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an outbreak of Staphylococcus warneri infection in a NICU.
- To identify the source and transmission routes of the S. warneri outbreak.
- To implement and evaluate control strategies for S. warneri HAIs.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological investigation including staff and environmental screening.
- Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for isolate characterization (cgSNP, pan-genome analysis).
- Assessment of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes.
Main Results:
- Seven neonates and one environmental sample yielded S. warneri isolates.
- WGS confirmed an outbreak linked to an environmental strain from a milk preparation workbench.
- Implementation of disinfection and isolation protocols halted further cases.
Conclusions:
- The milk preparation workbench was identified as the source of the S. warneri outbreak.
- Enhanced environmental disinfection is crucial for preventing HAIs.
- Hospital environmental hygiene requires continuous monitoring and improvement.
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