Michael O. Vernon

New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase–Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli Associated With Exposure to Duodenoscopes

IMPORTANCE Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) producing the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) are rare in the United States, but have the potential to add to the increasing CRE burden. Previous NDM-producing CRE clusters have been attributed to person-to-person transmission in health care facilities. OBJECTIVE To identify a source for, and interrupt transmission of, NDM-producing CRE in a northeastern Illinois hospital. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Outbreak investigation among 39 case patients at a tertiary care hospital in northeastern Illinois, including a case-control study, infection control assessment, and collection of environmental and device cultures; patient and environmental isolate relatedness was evaluated with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Following identification of a likely source, targeted patient notification and CRE screening cultures were performed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Association between exposure and acquisition of NDM-producing CRE; results of environmental cultures and organism typing. RESULTS In total, 39 case patients were identified from January 2013 through December 2013, 35 with duodenoscope exposure in 1 hospital. No lapses in duodenoscope reprocessing were identified; however, NDM-producing Escherichia coli was recovered from a reprocessed duodenoscope and shared more than 92% similarity to all case patient isolates by PFGE. Based on the case-control study, case patients had significantly higher odds of being exposed to a duodenoscope (odds ratio [OR], 78 [95% CI, 6.0-1008], P < .001). After the hospital changed its reprocessing procedure from automated high-level disinfection with ortho-phthalaldehyde to gas sterilization with ethylene oxide, no additional case patients were identified. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this investigation, exposure to duodenoscopes with bacterial contamination was associated with apparent transmission of NDM-producing E coli among patients at 1 hospital. Bacterial contamination of duodenoscopes appeared to persist despite the absence of recognized reprocessing lapses. Facilities should be aware of the potential for transmission of bacteria including antimicrobial-resistant organisms via this route and should conduct regular reviews of their duodenoscope reprocessing procedures to ensure optimal manual cleaning and disinfection.

Computer Algorithms To Detect Bloodstream Infections

Automated bloodstream infection surveillance using electronic data is an accurate alternative to surveillance using manually collected data.

Multicenter intervention program to increase adherence to hand hygiene recommendations and glove use and to reduce the incidence of antimicrobial resistance.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a multimodal intervention could improve adherence to hand hygiene and glove use recommendations and decrease the incidence of antimicrobial resistance in different types of healthcare facilities. DESIGN Prospective, observational study performed from October 1, 1999, through December 31, 2002. We monitored adherence to hand hygiene and glove use recommendations and the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among isolates from clinical cultures. We evaluated trends in and predictors for adherence and preferential use of alcohol-based hand rubs, using multivariable analyses. SETTING Three intervention hospitals (a 660-bed acute and long-term care hospital, a 120-bed community hospital, and a 600-bed public teaching hospital) and a control hospital (a 700-bed university teaching hospital).Intervention. At the intervention hospitals, we introduced or increased the availability of alcohol-based hand rub, initiated an interactive education program, and developed a poster campaign; at the control hospital, we only increased the availability of alcohol-based hand rub. RESULTS We observed 6,948 hand hygiene opportunities. The frequency of hand hygiene performance or glove use significantly increased during the study period at the intervention hospitals but not at the control hospital; the maximum quarterly frequency of hand hygiene performance or glove use at intervention hospitals (74%, 80%, and 77%) was higher than that at the control hospital (59%). By multivariable analysis, preferential use of alcohol-based hand rubs rather than soap and water for hand hygiene was more likely among workers at intervention hospitals compared with nonintervention hospitals (adjusted odds ratio, 4.6 [95% confidence interval, 3.3-6.4]) and more likely among physicians (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4 [95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.8]) than among nurses at intervention hospitals. A significantly reduced incidence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among isolates from clinical culture was found at a single intervention hospital, which had the greatest increase in the frequency of hand hygiene performance. CONCLUSIONS During a 3-year period, a multimodal intervention program increased adherence to hand hygiene recommendations, especially to the use of alcohol-based hand rubs. In one hospital, a concomitant reduction was found in the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among isolates from clinical cultures.

Unnecessary use of central venous catheters: The need to look outside the intensive care unit

We developed criteria for justifiable CVC use and evaluated CVC use in a public hospital. Unjustified CVC-days were more common for non-ICU patients compared with ICU patients. Also, insertion-site dressings were less likely to be intact on non-ICU patients. Interventions to reduce CVC-associated bloodstream infections should include non-ICU patients.

Adherence with hand hygiene: does number of sinks matter?

We observed adherence with hand hygiene in 14 units at 4 hospitals with varying sink-to-bed ratios (range, 1:1 to 1:6). Adherence was less than 50% in all units and there was no significant trend toward improved hand hygiene with increased sink-to-bed ratios.

Outbreak of Human Adenovirus Type 3 Infection in a Pediatric Long-Term Care Facility—Illinois, 2005

BACKGROUND Human adenovirus type 3 (HAdV-3) causes severe respiratory illness in children, but outbreaks in long-term care facilities have not been frequently reported. We describe an outbreak of HAdV-3 infection in a long-term care facility for children with severe neurologic impairment, where only 3 of 63 residents were ambulatory. METHODS A clinical case of HAdV-3 was defined as fever (temperature, > or = 38.0 degrees C) and either a worsening of respiratory symptoms or conjunctivitis in a resident, with illness onset from June through August 2005. We reviewed medical records; conducted surveillance for fever, conjunctivitis, and respiratory symptoms; and collected nasopharyngeal and conjunctival specimens from symptomatic residents. Specimens were cultured in HAdV-permissive cell lines or were analyzed by HAdV-specific polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS Thirty-five (56%) of 63 residents had illnesses that met the case definition; 17 patients (49%) were admitted to intensive care units, and 2 (6%) died. Patients were hospitalized in the intensive care unit for a total of 233 patient-days. Illness onset dates ranged from 1 June through 24 August 2005. Thirty-two patients (91%) had respiratory infection, and 3 (9%) had conjunctivitis. HAdV was identified by culture or PCR in 20 patients. Nine isolates were characterized as HAdV-3 genome type a2. CONCLUSIONS Considering the limited mobility of residents and their reliance on respiratory care, transmission of HAdV-3 infection during this outbreak likely occurred through respiratory care provided by staff. In environments where patients with susceptible underlying conditions reside, HAdV infection should be considered when patients are identified with worsening respiratory disease, and rapid diagnostic tests for HAdV infection should be readily available to help identify and curtail the spread of this pathogen.

Clostridium difficile outbreak strain BI is highly endemic in Chicago area hospitals.

OBJECTIVE Describe the clinical and molecular epidemiology of incident Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) cases in Chicago area acute healthcare facilities (HCFs). DESIGN AND SETTING Laboratory, clinical, and epidemiologic information was collected for patients with incident CDI who were admitted to acute HCFs in February 2009. Stool cultures and restriction endonuclease analysis typing of the recovered C. difficile isolates was performed. PATIENTS Two hundred sixty-three patients from 25 acute HCFs. RESULTS Acute HCF rates ranged from 2 to 7 patients with CDI per 10,000 patient-days. The crude mortality rate was 8%, with 20 deaths occurring in patients with CDI. Forty-two (16%) patients had complications from CDI, including 4 patients who required partial, subtotal, or total colectomy, 3 of whom died. C. difficile was isolated and typed from 129 of 178 available stool specimens. The BI strain was identified in 79 (61%) isolates. Of patients discharged to long-term care who had their isolate typed, 36 (67%) had BI-associated CDI. CONCLUSIONS Severe disease was common and crude mortality was substantial among patients with CDI in Chicago area acute HCFs in February 2009. The outbreak-associated BI strain was the predominant endemic strain identified, accounting for nearly two-thirds of cases. Focal HCF outbreaks were not reported, despite the presence of the BI strain. Transfer of patients between acute and long-term HCFs may have contributed to the high incidence of BI cases in this investigation.

Lack of transmission among close contacts of patient with case of middle east respiratory syndrome imported into the United States, 2014

Despite 61 contacts with unprotected exposure, no secondary cases occurred.

First confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in the United States, updated information on the epidemiology of MERS-CoV infection, and guidance for the public, clinicians, and public health authorities - May 2014

Since mid-March 2014, the frequency with which cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection have been reported has increased, with the majority of recent cases reported from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE). In addition, the frequency with which travel-associated MERS cases have been reported and the number of countries that have reported them to the World Health Organization (WHO) have also increased. The first case of MERS in the United States, identified in a traveler recently returned from Saudi Arabia, was reported to CDC by the Indiana State Department of Health on May 1, 2014, and confirmed by CDC on May 2. A second imported case of MERS in the United States, identified in a traveler from Saudi Arabia having no connection with the first case, was reported to CDC by the Florida Department of Health on May 11, 2014. The purpose of this report is to alert clinicians, health officials, and others to increase awareness of the need to consider MERS-CoV infection in persons who have recently traveled from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula. This report summarizes recent epidemiologic information, provides preliminary descriptions of the cases reported from Indiana and Florida, and updates CDC guidance about patient evaluation, home care and isolation, specimen collection, and travel as of May 13, 2014.

Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in a child care center in Cook County, Illinois, with prolonged shedding and household transmission

During the investigation of an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in a child care center, illness logs were reviewed and parents interviewed to identify classroom and household exposures. Costs incurred by the center and the public health laboratory were estimated from self-administered questionnaires. We conclude that household transmission played a role in this outbreak and estimate the cost of investigation and intervention at over