[A Candida krusei epidemic in a hematology department].
Candida krusei is a rarely isolated opportunistic yeast which we observed in 12 immunocompromised patients over a four-month period. Epidemiologic investigations identified the source of the organism in a bottle containing contaminated lemon juice in the hospital kitchen. Since elimination of the source we found the yeast in only 3 additional cases (4% vs. 0.4% of all patients with positive yeast cultures) over 11 months. Upper respiratory tract was the most common site of colonization. 6 of 15 patients developed infections with C. krusei (4 pneumonia, 1 disseminated infection and 1 localized). 4 died from fungal infections. - The importance of infection control institutions for efficient epidemiologic investigation of nosocomial infections is discussed.
Berger
C
C
Abteilung für Hämatologie und Bakteriologisches Labor, Kantonsspital, Basel.
Frei
R
R
Gratwohl
A
A
Tichelli
A
A
Häfliger
B
B
Speck
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000382:microbiology; D013557:Switzerland
Epidemie mit Candida krusei an einer hämatologischen Abteilung.