title: [An outbreak of respiratory tract infections in an institution: combating Mycoplasma pneumoniae in mentally disabled persons].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In October 2013, the Municipal Health Service, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, was notified of an outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in an institution for mentally disabled persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 58 potential infections were identified, of which 12 were confirmed in the laboratory, 5 with PCR testing on throat swabs, 3 by an increased IgM value in the serum, 2 via IgM seroconversion and 2 with an increased IgG titer in consecutive serum samples. To combat the outbreak, measures were taken in collaboration with the municipal health service. Every patient who coughed with fever or malaise was considered to be potentially infected and immediately treated with antibiotics, with as much cohort nursing as possible. The staff made every effort to explain the more stringent hand and cough hygiene measures to the residents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumonia in an institution for mentally disabled persons was controlled through active disease surveillance, treatment of potential cases and hygiene measures.
authors.affiliation: Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam.
authors.forename: H C C Erik
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: de Jonge
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: Aimée
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tjon-A-Tsien
authors.forename: Evelien I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: van der Zon-van Welzenis
authors.forename: Christel F M
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: van der Donk
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pontesilli
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction