A cluster of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia in a radiation oncology ward.
BACKGROUND
We report an outbreak of genetically related strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection.


METHODS
The practices that were possibly related to the outbreak were investigated through direct observation and interviews with staff by infection control team. Cultures of potential environmental sources of bacteria were obtained.


RESULTS
Six patients receiving intravenous medications in saline solution developed fever and shaking chills 1.5 to 4 hours after the infusion was initiated. Cultures of the blood from 4 patients yielded K. pneumoniae. Molecular characterization of K. pneumoniae done by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed the same strain.


CONCLUSIONS
Although a definite source for the outbreak could not be identified, probably environmental contamination, lack of adherence to hand hygiene practices, contamination, and cross contamination led to this outbreak.
Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. ayseerbay@gmail.com
Ayse
A
Erbay
Dilek
D
Kanyilmaz
Ebru
E
Us
Ipek
I
Mumcuoglu
Zeynep Ceren
ZC
Karahan
Gokhan
G
Gozel
Neriman
N
Balaban
Hurrem
H
Bodur
D000368:Aged; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial