An outbreak of salmonellosis in a pediatric hospital in Brazil

To describe cases of salmonellosis during a hospital outbreak in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Brazil and the measures implemented to identify the source and block the transmission chain.

Retrospective, descriptive study of a series of pediatric cases with identification of Salmonella in clinical specimens by molecular biology and/or culture, between July and September 2023, in different sectors of a tertiary pediatric hospital. Data were collected from the Hospital Infection Control Service database, and epidemiologic variables were analyzed.

A total of 24 patients with salmonellosis were identified, 20 of whom were diagnosed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. In 17 samples, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica and eight serotypes were found. A total 14 cases were classified as nosocomial infections, the majority occurred in children under 1 year of age, 85% presented only gastroenteritis, and 15% bacteremia and/or focal infection. The epidemic curve of cases did not show a common source pattern and there was no evidence of food contamination. Audits were carried out in the nutrition and dairy sector and water and milk samples were collected with no contamination results. Of the water samples collected from drinking fountains in the care areas, two detected Salmonella on one of the hospital floors. Measures were implemented to block the outbreak, such as hand hygiene, good practices, food hygiene, and cleaning and changing water fountains.

The outbreak was controlled, showing the importance of a rapid investigation and analysis of the possible causes of an infection outbreak by a multidisciplinary team so that control measures can be taken quickly and effectively. To prevent an outbreak of infection, adherence to hand hygiene and good clinical practices are essential.