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Investigation of Panton-Valentine leukocidin expressing Staphylococcus aureus colonization among children in a child care center

The presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin expressing Staphylococcus aureus colonization was investigated with a qualitative nucleic acid hybridization assay among 122 children and 19 staff in a child care center. Genotyping of 5 Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that one child and a teacher from the same class were colonized with the clonally related strains. This finding allowed us to suggest that close contact with colonized people is a risk factor for being colonized.

A cluster of Klebsiella pneumonia bacteremia in a radiation oncology ward

BACKGROUND We report an outbreak of genetically related strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection. METHODS The practices that were possibly related to the outbreak were investigated through direct observation and interviews with staff by infection control team. Cultures of potential environmental sources of bacteria were obtained. RESULTS Six patients receiving intravenous medications in saline solution developed fever and shaking chills 1.5 to 4 hours after the infusion was initiated. Cultures of the blood from 4 patients yielded K. pneumoniae. Molecular characterization of K. pneumoniae done by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed the same strain. CONCLUSION Although a definite source for the outbreak could not be identified, probably environmental contamination, lack of adherence to hand hygiene practices, contamination, and cross contamination led to this outbreak.

Wound and soft tissue infections of Serratia marcescens in patients receiving wound care: A health care–associated outbreak

HighlightsTo our knowledge, this is the first reported health care–associated Serratia marcescens outbreak of wound and soft tissue infection in which the source of the outbreak was fully defined.This is a good example of how a microbiology laboratory can assist through infection control.Pouring of sterile saline solutions into empty containers is no longer allowed.With close contact with infection control commission, more efficient and frequent training of hospital staff regarding infection control was provided. &NA; We described a health care–associated Serratia marcescens outbreak of wound and soft tissue infection lasting approximately 11 months at Ankara University Ibni Sina Hospital. After identification of S marcescens strains from the clinical and environmental samples, and their susceptibility testing to antimicrobial agents, pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to detect molecular epidemiologic relationships among these isolates. The strains which were isolated from the saline bottles used for wound cleansing in the wound care unit were found to be 100% interrelated by PFGE to the strains from the samples of the outbreak patients. Reuse of the emptied bottles has no longer been allowed since the outbreak occurred. Besides, more efficient and frequent infection control training for hospital staff has been conducted.

Comparison of Frequency of Silent Cerebral Infarction After Coronary Angiography and Stenting With Transradial Versus Transfemoral Approaches

Silent cerebral infarction (SCI) can be seen after coronary procedures. We investigated whether vascular access sites have an impact on the risk of SCI. A total of 255 consecutive patients who underwent diagnostic or interventional coronary procedures through transfemoral (n = 126 patients) or transradial (n = 129 patients) approach were evaluated. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels were studied before and 12 hours after the procedure. Elevation of greater than 12 ng/ml was considered as SCI. Patients were mainly men (60%) with a mean age of 62 years. SCI was observed in 74 of 255 patients (29%). It was significantly more prevalent among transradial group. Elevation of NSE was observed in 36% of transradial group (n = 47) and 21% of the transfemoral group (n = 27) (p = 0.008). Patients with SCI were more likely to have male sexuality, hyperlipidemia, history of smoking, and previous myocardial infarction. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients who underwent coronary procedures through transradial approach were 2.1 times more likely to have an SCI than patients with transfemoral approach (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.205 to 3.666; p = 0.008). Other independent predictors of NSE elevation were previous myocardial infarction (odds ratio 8.6; 95% CI 4.209 to 17.572; p <0.001) and smoking history (odds ratio 7.251; 95% CI 3.855 to 13.639; p <0.001). The present study suggests that transradial coronary procedures carry higher risk of SCI when compared with transfemoral route.