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Streptococcus pyogenes hospital-acquired infection within a dermatological ward
A Takahashi1, S Yomoda, K Tanimoto
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
Abstract:
Seventeen strains of Streptococcus pyogenes were isolated from 17 patients in the Dermatological Ward of Gunma University Hospital in Japan between June 1994 and March 1995. Of these 17 strains, 14 were isolated from the pus of skin infections, two from blood, and one from ascitic fluid. The strains showed the same minimum inhibitory concentrations; 4 mg/L of minomycin, 4 mg/L of ofloxacin and 16 mg/L of fosfomycin. T-antigen typing of the strains indicated they were T11 type. The restriction endonuclease digestion patterns of chromosomal DNA from the 17 strains were all identical. The vinyl sheet covering the bed on which the patients were treated was found to be contaminated with S. pyogenes. This strain showed identical characteristics to the strains derived from the patients. These results suggest that S. pyogenes was transmitted to patients in the Dermatological Ward from the surface of the vinyl sheet covering the bed.
Insights
A hospital outbreak of Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) infections was traced to contaminated vinyl bed coverings. This finding highlights environmental surfaces as a potential transmission source for bacterial pathogens in clinical settings.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Streptococcus pyogenes is a significant bacterial pathogen causing various infections.
- Nosocomial infections pose a continuous threat in healthcare settings.
- Understanding transmission routes is crucial for effective infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the source of a Streptococcus pyogenes outbreak in a hospital dermatological ward.
- To characterize the isolated S. pyogenes strains and identify their common origin.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of Streptococcus pyogenes from patients and environmental samples.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (minomycin, ofloxacin, fosfomycin).
- T-antigen typing and chromosomal DNA analysis using restriction endonuclease digestion.
Main Results:
- Seventeen S. pyogenes strains were isolated from patients and an environmental surface (vinyl bed covering).
- All strains exhibited identical antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, T-antigen type (T11), and DNA restriction patterns.
- The environmental S. pyogenes strain was indistinguishable from patient isolates.
Conclusions:
- The vinyl bed covering served as the likely source of S. pyogenes transmission to patients.
- Environmental contamination is a critical factor in the spread of S. pyogenes within hospital wards.
- Implementing stringent environmental hygiene protocols is essential to prevent nosocomial S. pyogenes infections.