BACKGROUND: We report an outbreak of surgical site infections due to genetically related strains of Streptococcus pyogenes in a cardiovascular surgery department. METHODS: The practices that were possibly related to the outbreak were investigated through direct observation and interviews with staff by an infection control team. Surveillance sampling from patients, health-care workers, and environment were done for the investigation of the source. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to investigate a clonal relationship among the S. pyogenes isolates. RESULTS: Four patients operated on in the cardiovascular surgery department developed surgical site infection due to S. pyogenes. Molecular characterization of S. pyogenes done by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed the same strain. CONCLUSIONS: Although a definite source for the outbreak could not be identified, probably lack of adherence to hand hygiene practices during surgical dressings, contamination, and cross contamination led to this outbreak.
BACKGROUND: We report an outbreak of surgical site infections due to genetically related strains of Streptococcus pyogenes in a cardiovascular surgery department. METHODS: The practices that were possibly related to the outbreak were investigated through direct observation and interviews with staff by an infection control team. Surveillance sampling from patients, health-care workers, and environment were done for the investigation of the source. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to investigate a clonal relationship among the S. pyogenes isolates. RESULTS: Four patients operated on in the cardiovascular surgery department developed surgical site infection due to S. pyogenes. Molecular characterization of S. pyogenes done by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed the same strain. CONCLUSIONS: Although a definite source for the outbreak could not be identified, probably lack of adherence to hand hygiene practices during surgical dressings, contamination, and cross contamination led to this outbreak.
Authors: Emily Mosites; Anna Frick; Prabhu Gounder; Louisa Castrodale; Yuan Li; Karen Rudolph; Debby Hurlburt; Kristen D Lecy; Tammy Zulz; Tolu Adebanjo; Jennifer Onukwube; Bernard Beall; Chris A Van Beneden; Thomas Hennessy; Joseph McLaughlin; Michael G Bruce Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2018-03-19 Impact factor: 9.079