Invasive disease due to extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal unit: the possible role of cockroaches.
We recently experienced an outbreak of nosocomial disease due to extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal unit infested with cockroaches. Organisms isolated from cockroaches were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis from those colonizing infants or causing clinical disease using. Cockroach elimination together with standard infection-control measures resulted in control of the outbreak. We suggest cockroaches are possible vectors of pathogenic bacteria in the hospital environment.
Cotton
M F
MF
Departments of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Hospital, 7505, South Africa.
Wasserman
E
E
Pieper
C H
CH
Theron
D C
DC
van Tubbergh
D
D
Campbell
G
G
Fang
F C
FC
Barnes
a J
aJ
D000818:Animals; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000382:microbiology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000382:microbiology*; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009725:Nurseries, Hospital; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D001618:beta-Lactamases