Open AccessEpidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a general hospital: a four-year study
Author(s) -
Evan T. Thomas,
Lois Faye Jones,
Evelise Pires Cogo Simão,
C Solé-Vernin,
J. J. Farmer
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
journal of clinical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.349
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1070-633X
pISSN - 0095-1137
DOI - 10.1128/jcm.2.5.397-402.1975
Subject(s) - epidemiology , pseudomonas aeruginosa , outbreak , serology , isolation (microbiology) , cross infection , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , typing , biology , virology , intensive care medicine , bacteria , immunology , antibody , genetics
A retrospective study was done to determine the epidemiology of infection and/or colonization due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Brazilian general hospital. In 1966, 1968, and 1969, there were only two instances where probable cross-contamination was shown; the remaining isolates were unrelated. In late 1971 the hospital experienced a marked increase in P. aeruginosa isolation. Contaminated dextrose solutions used in the infant feeding were the apparent cause of the problem which occurred in the premature and special care nurseries. A contaminated oxygen humidifying bottle was the source of a different outbreak in surgery. There was also evidence in four instances that cross-infection and/or contamination had occurred. Pyocin and serological typing revealed that many strains were involved and led to a clear understanding of the complex epidemiological relationships among all the strains.