Stringent infection prevention and control measures help contain CPE in the healthcare setting; however, in the case of hospital A, where CPE appears to be established in the population served, it may be virtually impossible to achieve eradication or avoid reintroduction into the hospital.
BackgroundCarbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) can cause healthcare-associated infections with high mortality rates. New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) is amongst the most recently discovered carbapenemases. AimTo report the first outbreak of NDM-1 CPE in Ireland, including microbiological and epidemiological characteristics, and assessing the impact of infection prevention and control measures. MethodsRetrospective microbiological and epidemiological review. Cases were defined as patients with a CPE positive culture. Contacts were designated as roommates or ward mates. FindingsThis outbreak involved ten patients, with a median age of 71 years (range 45-90 years), located in three separate but affiliated healthcare facilities. One patient was infected (the index case); the nine others were colonised. Nine NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, a NDM-1-producing Escherichia coli and a K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Enterobacter cloacae were detected between week 24 2014 and week 37 2014. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis demonstrated similarity. NDM-1 positive isolates were meropenem resistant with MICs ranging from 12 to 32 µg/ml. All were tigecycline susceptible (MICs ≤1 µg/ml). One isolate was colistin resistant (MIC 4.0 µg/ml; mcr-1 gene not detected). In 2015, four further NDM-1 isolates were detected. Conclusions 3The successful management of this outbreak was achieved via the prompt implementation of enhanced infection prevention and control practices to prevent transmission. These patients did not have a history of travel outside of Ireland, but a number had frequent hospitalisations in Ireland, raising concerns regarding the possibility of increasing but unrecognised prevalence of NDM-1 and potential decline in value of travel history a marker of colonisation risk. KeywordsCarbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1), multi-drug resistant organism, outbreak, Ireland. Study definitionsCases were defined as patients with a NDM-1 positive culture from any site during their hospitalisation. Contacts were designated as roommates or ward mates. Microbiological and molecular detection of NDM-1Since 2011, CPE surveillance at UHL had been performed on stool samples or rectal swabs using KPC-producer selective chromogenic agar (CHROMagar™ KPC, Paris, France).MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker Diagnostics) identification was performed on all colonies, as previously described 22 . Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using broth microdilution (ARIS Sensititre ® system-Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, Masachusettts, USA).Elevated carbapenem minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for meropenem and ertapenem were confirmed by E-test (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden) following the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines; ertapenem resistance MIC >1 g/l, meropenem resistance MIC >8 g/l. Isolates with elevated carbapenem MICs were further evaluated using the modified Hodge test (MHT). Commercially available 7 diagnos...
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a toxin-mediated exfoliating skin condition predominated by desquamation and blistering. Neonatal outbreaks have already been reported; however, our outbreak highlights the potential for SSSS following neonatal health promotion measures such as intra-muscular vitamin K administration and metabolic screening (heel prick) as well as effective case containment measures and the value of staff screening. Between February and June 2007, five confirmed cases of neonatal SSSS were identified in full-term neonates born in an Irish regional maternity hospital. All infants were treated successfully. Analysis of contact and environmental screening was undertaken, including family members and healthcare workers. Molecular typing on isolates was carried out. An outbreak control team (OCT) was assembled and took successful prospective steps to prevent further cases. All five Staphylococcus aureus isolates tested positive for exfoliative toxin A, of which two distinct strains were identified on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis. Two cases followed staphylococcal inoculation during preventive measures such as intra-muscular vitamin K administration and metabolic screening (heel prick). None of the neonatal isolates were methicillin resistant. Of 259 hospital staff (70% of staff) screened, 30% were colonised with S. aureus, and 6% were positive for MRSA carriage. This is the first reported outbreak of neonatal SSSS in Ireland. Effective case containment measures and clinical value of OCT is demonstrated. Results of staff screening underlines the need for vigilance and compliance in hand disinfection strategies in maternity hospitals especially during neonatal screening and preventive procedures.
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