Serratia liquefaciens bloodstream infections from contamination of epoetin alfa at a hemodialysis center.
BACKGROUND
In a one month period, 10 Serratia liquefaciens bloodstream infections and 6 pyrogenic reactions occurred in outpatients at a hemodialysis center.


METHODS
We performed a cohort study of all hemodialysis sessions on days that staff members reported S. liquefaciens bloodstream infections or pyrogenic reactions. We reviewed procedures and cultured samples of water, medications, soaps, and hand lotions and swabs from the hands of personnel.


RESULTS
We analyzed 208 sessions involving 48 patients. In 12 sessions, patients had S. liquefaciens bloodstream infections, and in 8, patients had pyrogenic reactions without bloodstream infection. Sessions with infections or reactions were associated with higher median doses of epoetin alfa than the 188 other sessions (6500 vs. 4000 U, P=0.03) and were more common during afternoon or evening shifts than morning shifts (P=0.03). Sessions with infections or reactions were associated with doses of epoetin alfa of more than 4000 U (multivariate odds ratio, 4.0; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.3 to 12.3). A review of procedures revealed that preservative-free, single-use vials of epoetin alfa were punctured multiple times, and residual epoetin alfa from multiple vials was pooled and administered to patients. S. liquefaciens was isolated from pooled epoetin alfa, empty vials of epoetin alfa that had been pooled, antibacterial soap, and hand lotion. All the isolates were identical by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. After the practice of pooling epoetin alfa was discontinued and the contaminated soap and lotion were replaced, no further S. liquefaciens bloodstream infections or pyrogenic reactions occurred at this hemodialysis facility.


CONCLUSIONS
Puncturing single-use vials multiple times and pooling preservative-free epoetin alfa caused this outbreak of bloodstream infections in a hemodialysis unit. To prevent similar outbreaks, medical personnel should follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the use of preservative-free medications.
Grohskopf
L A
LA
Division of Applied Public Health Training, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. lkg6@cdc.gov
Roth
V R
VR
Feikin
D R
DR
Arduino
M J
MJ
Carson
L A
LA
Tokars
J I
JI
Holt
S C
SC
Jensen
B J
BJ
Hoffman
R E
RE
Jarvis
W R
WR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D003358:Cosmetics; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003625:Data Collection; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D004340:Drug Contamination / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012705:Serratia / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012915:Soaps; D014481:United States
D003358:Cosmetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012915:Soaps; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa