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A hospital epidemic caused by a gentamicin-resistant Klebsiella aerogenes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Kathleen Curie ,
D. C. E. Speller ,
Rosemary A. Simpson ,
Mary Stephens  and
P. I. Cooke
Kathleen Curie
Affiliation:
Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW
D. C. E. Speller
Affiliation:
Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW
Rosemary A. Simpson
Affiliation:
Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW
Mary Stephens
Affiliation:
Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW
P. I. Cooke
Affiliation:
Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW
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Summary

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In the 15 months, February 1976 to April 1977, more than 241 patients became colonized with a strain of Klebsiella aerogenes, capsular serotype K2, resistant to most antibiotics. Urinary tract infection was the most common clinical manifestation but bacteraemia and, occasionally, infections of other sites were encountered. The main reservoir of the epidemic klebsiella was the gut, urine and skin of colonized patients. Gut carriage among staff was very uncommon. The most susceptible patients were elderly males, with debilitating illnesses and urinary tract abnormalities, especially if they were catheterized or receiving antibiotics. Likely vehicles for spread were the hands of staff, and contaminated bedpans and urinals. Control measures were directed at these factors. At the end of April 1977 no new cases had occurred for 3 months in the ward in which the outbreak began, and which had been the main focus of infection, and only 5 patients in the affected hospitals were known to be colonized by the epidemic klebsiella.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 80 , Issue 1 , February 1978 , pp. 115 - 123
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

References

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