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[Infections caused by Flavobacterium meningosepticum in patients in a neonatal intensive care unit]
P Heeg1, W Heizmann, H Mentzel
1Abteilung für Neonatologie, Universitätsklinikums Tübingen.
Abstract:
During a period of three and a half months 7 neonates from a neonatal intensive care unit became infected by F. meningosepticum, serotype B. The pathogens could be isolated from the tracheal secretions and--less frequently--from throat swabs, gastric juice and nose swabs. Environmental sampling led to the isolation of F. meningosepticum from the humidification fluid of the respirator, from vaporizers as well as from the artificial ventilation tubing. F. mengingosepticum was found in the water of humidifiers from 3 children, who developed neither a colonization nor an infection. In a number of cases the patients' environment was contaminated with F. meningosepticum prior to colinization or infection. Nearly identical resistance patterns against the antibiotics tested, could be demonstrated for the isolated strains. The primary source of infection could not be identified, it is supposed however that the index patient had been admitted to the hospital nine months before. A strict hygienic policy, like consequently performed hand hygiene, adequate processing of ventilation equipment and application of sterile tubings led to extinction of the infections. During subsequent environmental controls, F. meningosepticum could not be isolated.
Insights
Flavobacterium meningosepticum (F. meningosepticum) serotype B caused infections in 7 neonates. Strict hygiene protocols, including hand hygiene and equipment sterilization, successfully eradicated the outbreak.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infections
- Bacterial pathogenesis and transmission
- Serotyping of F. meningosepticum
Context:
- An outbreak of F. meningosepticum serotype B occurred in a NICU over 3.5 months, affecting 7 neonates.
- The pathogen was isolated from respiratory secretions, and environmental samples revealed contamination in respiratory equipment and humidifiers.
Purpose:
- To investigate the source, transmission, and effective control measures for an F. meningosepticum serotype B outbreak in a NICU.
- To identify the environmental reservoirs and patient colonization patterns associated with the outbreak.
Summary:
- F. meningosepticum serotype B was isolated from tracheal secretions and environmental sources, including respirator humidification fluid and ventilation tubing.
- Antibiotic resistance patterns were similar across isolated strains, suggesting a common source or transmission event.
- Environmental contamination preceded colonization or infection in some cases, highlighting the importance of environmental surveillance.
Impact:
- Implementation of strict hygiene policies, including hand hygiene and sterilization of ventilation equipment, led to the successful control and eradication of the F. meningosepticum outbreak.
- Post-outbreak environmental monitoring confirmed the absence of F. meningosepticum, validating the effectiveness of the implemented infection control measures.