Bacillus species pseudomeningitis.
A cluster of cerebrospinal fluid Gram's stains showing gram-positive bacilli and of cerebrospinal fluid cultures growing Bacillus species in a large community teaching hospital prompted an epidemiologic and microbiologic investigation. Pseudomeningitis was suspected and confirmed when cultures of uninoculated commercial trypticase soy broth with 5% Fildes enrichment grew Bacillus species. Secondary contamination of the pipettes used for inoculation accounted for the positive cerebrospinal fluid Gram's stains. The costs of this pseudo-outbreak included unnecessary antibiotic therapy, lumbar punctures, and hospitalization. Such adverse effects can be minimized by increased physician awareness of pseudoinfections and by prompt investigation of such occurrences.
Lettau
L A
LA
Infection Control Program, Greenville Memorial Medical Center, South Carolina 29605.
Benjamin
D
D
Cantrell
H F
HF
Potts
D W
DW
Boggs
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001407:Bacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008581:Meningitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D013022:South Carolina; D013129:Spinal Puncture
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents