Outbreak of Shigella sonnei in a clinical microbiology laboratory.
Laboratory technologists (22%) developed infections with Shigella sonnei. The isolates had the same antibiogram and pulse-field gel electrophoresis pattern as an unknown isolate handled by a laboratory student. Covering faucet handles with paper towels during hand washing in the laboratory was protective. No further cases occurred after the laboratory was cleaned with a phenolic agent and a handle-free faucet was installed.
Mermel
L A
LA
Department of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence 02903, USA. lmermel@lifespan.org
Josephson
S L
SL
Dempsey
J
J
Parenteau
S
S
Perry
C
C
Magill
N
N
D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004203:Disinfection; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004405:Dysentery, Bacillary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education; D008829:Microbiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012237:Rhode Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012498:Sanitary Engineering; D012764:Shigella sonnei / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
D004269:DNA, Bacterial