Pseudo-outbreak of Mycobacterium scrofulaceum linked to cross-contamination with a laboratory reference strain.
Mycobacterium scrofulaceum was isolated from three clinical specimens over a period of 2 months. In the preceding 10 years, the institution had not reported any cases of this unusual mycobacterium. Investigation and confirmatory molecular testing indicated a laboratory control strain to be the source of contamination.
Oda
G V
GV
Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, California 94304, USA.
DeVries
M M
MM
Yakrus
M A
MA
D002140:California; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007757:Laboratory Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015359:Mycobacterium scrofulaceum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*