Identification of infant food as a vehicle in a nosocomial outbreak of Citrobacter freundii: epidemiological subtyping by allozyme, whole-cell protein and antibiotic resistance.
A total of 38 Citrobacter freundii strains was isolated from patients and their environment at a neonatal intensive care unit of a large hospital where colonization and clinical diseases due to the agent had been observed. Epidemiological investigations were carried out by subtyping, for which a combination of allozyme, whole-cell protein and resistance pattern analysis was used. Infant formula was identified as a vehicle of nosocomial spread. This shows that the role of foods in the transmission of hospital infections should not be underestimated. The combination of methods applied, in particular a limited enzyme set, is recommended also for epidemiological investigations of food-borne infections and establishment of their causes.
Bundesgesundheitsamt, Robert von Ostertag-Institut, Bereich Wernigerode, Germany.
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Thurm
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Gericke
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D016971:Citrobacter freundii / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food / Q000382:microbiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D007527:Isoenzymes