title: Surveillance of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria and routine use of contact isolation: experience from a three-year period.
abstract: The usefulness and applicability of isolation precautions were questioned for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains of Enterobacteriaceae in the endemic setting. We performed a surveillance programme for ESBL-positive organisms and the infection control management of patients colonized or infected with these organisms. Between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2004, a total of 147 cases of ESBL-producing strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis from 123 patients were noted. The overall incidence of ESBL-producing-strain-positive cases was 0.12/1000 patient-days. The proportion of referred cases was 35% (N=51); 65% of cases (N=96) were acquired in our institution. Infections developed in 57 cases (38.8%), of which 36 (63.3%) were nosocomial. Contact isolation precautions were carried out for 79.6% of the cases, with a median duration of contact isolation precautions for 14 days (range: 0-144). The contact isolation precautions resulted in 2985 isolation days in total, i.e. 995 isolation days per year. Typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed clonal diversity in 94.2% of the isolates from patients. Seven patient-to-patient transmissions were noted. Only in 10 cases (6.8%) was colonization with ESBL-producing strains cleared. Considering the large number of immunocompromised patients treated in our institution (>1500 bone marrow or solid organ transplantations performed during 2002-2004), we will continue to isolate patients who are colonized or infected with ESBL-producing organisms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Germany. kola.axel@mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kola
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holst
authors.forename: I F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Chaberny
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ziesing
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suerbaum
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gastmeier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000379:methods*; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001618:beta-Lactamases