Postoperative group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus outbreak with the pathogen traced to a member of a healthcare worker's household.
A cluster of four group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus postoperative wound infections was investigated at a community hospital. The serotypes of the Streptococcus isolated from all four cases, an asymptomatic anesthesiologist and one of his household members were M nontypable T28. During the outbreak period, December 1988, the infection rate among the 40 patients of the anesthesiologist was 7.5%. Among other patients not having contact with this healthcare worker, it was 0.09% (p = .0002 Fisher's exact test). This is only the second reported Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus hospital outbreak in which the pathogen was traced to a member of a healthcare worker's household. Early outbreak detection and intervention limited the extent of the outbreak.
Paul
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New Jersey State Department of Health, Trenton 08625-0369.
Genese
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Spitalny
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000776:Anesthesiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology