Identifying and controlling a multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak in a Latin-American cancer centre and its associated risk factors.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important and frightening microorganism for patients suffering from cancer. Multiresistant P. aeruginosa (MRPA) may appear as a consequence of exposure to multiple antibiotics or from a breakdown in infection control practices. This article reports an MRPA outbreak in a cancer treatment centre and the consequent case control study. Mechanical ventilation was identified as being the main risk factor for developing MRPA colonisation or infection; molecular analysis confirmed the outbreak. A multifaceted strategy was adopted, involving reinforcing hand-washing practices, contact isolation, antibiotic restriction and suction devices for mechanically-ventilated patients. MRPA was controlled and the outbreak ended. Such strategy may be effective in controlling MRPS in low-resource environments amongst high risk cancer patients.
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia. jorgecortes@yahoo.com
Jorge Alberto
JA
Cortes
Sonia Isabel
SI
Cuervo
Ana María
AM
Urdaneta
Guillermo
G
Potdevin
Patricia
P
Arroyo
Diana
D
Bermúdez
Adriana
A
Correa
María Virginia
MV
Villegas
D000328:Adult; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors