Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteremia outbreaks among non-cystic fibrosis patients in the pediatric unit of the university hospital

Abstract

Introduction Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) leads to severe nosocomial infections particularly in the patients who have intravascular catheters and cystic fibrosis. The present study aims at investigation of Bcc outbreaks in non-cystic fibrosis patients. Material and Methods A total of 6 patients who were hospitalized at General Pediatrics Department were included in the study. Blood cultures which yielded positive signals were incubated at 5% blood sheep agar, chocolate agar and Eosin Methylene Blue agar. All fields which could be the source of the infection at the clinic were examined. Isolates confirmation with Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) tests were performed. Results The first patient aged 14.5 years was hospitalized due to left renal agenesis, urinary tract infection and renal failure. Bcc growing was detected in blood culture which was obtained due to high fever at the 3rd day of hospitalization. New patient hospitalizations were stopped due to Bcc growing in blood cultures which was obtained due to high fever in the remaining five patients. No growing was detected in samples obtained from the clinic and the patient rooms. PFGE patterns were similar in all clinical isolates of Bcc indicating that the outbreak had originated from the same origin. Conclusions Bcc infection should always be kept in mind in nosocomial outbreaks due to multi-drug resistance and the need for hospitalization at intensive care unit. Control measures should be taken for prevention of nosocomial infections and required investigations should be done for detection of the source of the infection.