Nosocomial multiply resistant Providencia stuartii: a long-term outbreak with multiple biotypes and serotypes at one...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Microbiology
• Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

• Providencia stuartii is an opportunistic pathogen causing urinary tract infections, particularly in healthcare settings.
• Multiply resistant strains pose significant challenges to patient care and infection control.
• Long-term outbreaks necessitate understanding microbial diversity and effective containment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the epidemiological and microbiological features of a prolonged Providencia stuartii outbreak.
• To identify the diversity of serotypes, biotypes, and antibiograms within the outbreak.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of standard infection control measures in managing the outbreak.

Main Methods:

• Surveillance of urinary tract infections within a 513-bed chronic care unit.
• Isolation and identification of Providencia stuartii.
• Phenotypic characterization including biotyping and antibiogram profiling.
• Serotyping to determine major strain types.
• Assessment of infection control interventions.

Main Results:

• A 16-month-long outbreak of multiply resistant Providencia stuartii was identified.
• The outbreak involved strains with five distinct biotypes, seven different antibiograms, and two major serotypes.
• All isolated strains remained susceptible to amikacin, cefamandole, and cefoxitin.
• Standard infection control measures were implemented to curb the spread.

Conclusions:

• This outbreak demonstrated significant microbial heterogeneity of Providencia stuartii within a single facility.
• Standard infection control practices were effective in eventually controlling the prolonged outbreak.
• Maintaining vigilance and understanding pathogen diversity are crucial for managing healthcare-associated infections.