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Published on: August 5, 2016
Investigation of Possible Intraoperative Transmission of Brucella melitensis, Slovenia
Abstract:
We report possible intraoperative transmission of Brucella melitensis in Slovenia, likely caused by aerosolized particles during wound irrigation. Whole-genome multilocus sequence typing revealed that isolates from the patient and the surgeon belonged to the same transmission cluster, differing by 1 allele. Our findings raise awareness of occupational risks faced by orthopedic surgeons.
Insights
A surgeon in Slovenia may have contracted Brucella melitensis during surgery, possibly through airborne droplets. Genetic analysis confirmed the patient and surgeon shared the same bacterial strain, highlighting occupational risks for orthopedic surgeons.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Brucella melitensis is a zoonotic bacterium causing brucellosis.
- Intraoperative transmission of Brucella during orthopedic surgery is rare but poses occupational risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a suspected case of intraoperative Brucella melitensis transmission.
- To identify the transmission route and genetic relatedness of the infecting strain.
Main Methods:
- Case reporting and clinical observation.
- Whole-genome multilocus sequence typing (wgMLST) for bacterial isolate comparison.
Main Results:
- Identified a potential intraoperative transmission event of Brucella melitensis in Slovenia.
- wgMLST showed isolates from the patient and surgeon differed by only 1 allele, indicating a single transmission cluster.
- Aerosolization during wound irrigation is the suspected transmission route.
Conclusions:
- Orthopedic surgeons face occupational risks from Brucella melitensis, particularly during procedures involving wound irrigation.
- Enhanced awareness and protective measures are crucial to prevent intraoperative transmission.
