title: Epidemiological investigation of a Serratia liquefaciens outbreak in a neurosurgery department.
abstract: Between February 2001 and March 2003, 17 patients from the neurosurgery department of the University Hospital of Rangueil (Toulouse, Southern France) developed Serratia liquefaciens infections. Due to the atypical antibiotype displayed by the clinical isolates (i.e. gentamicin resistance), an outbreak was suspected. Molecular analysis carried out by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated a genetic link for all patients. Furthermore, the patient who introduced the epidemic Serratia strain was also identified and shown to be related to the two epidemic peaks observed during the outbreak period. Investigation failed to reveal a reservoir among the antiseptics and soaps, or among the mechanical ventilators used. However, when the colonization of patients was investigated, positive carriage was observed and could be considered as a potential risk for the spread of the epidemic strain. Due to the delay between antibiotherapy and S. liquefaciens colonization, a selection effect had to be considered. Finally, implementation of hygiene measures was accompanied by control of the outbreak.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Bactériologie-Hygiène, CHU Rangueil-Larrey, Toulouse, France. dubouix.a@chu-toulouse.fr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dubouix
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roques
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Segonds
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jeannot
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malavaud
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daude
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chabanon
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marty
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004340:Drug Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005602:France; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D044090:Serratia liquefaciens / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004269:DNA, Bacterial