Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T04:48:48.444Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Streptococcus pneumoniae Transmission in Chronic-Care Facilities: Description of an Outbreak and Review of Management Strategies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2016

Donald C. Sheppard
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, San Francisco Veterans' Administration Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
Kathleen A. Bartlett
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, San Francisco Veterans' Administration Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
Harry W. Lampiris*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, San Francisco Veterans' Administration Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
*
Department of Medicine, VAMC 111W, 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121

Abstract

We report an outbreak of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae disease in a chronic-care facility with a documented immunization rate of only 2.5%. We describe and discuss the infection control strategies used in prevention and management of such outbreaks, highlighting the role of immunization and presumptive chemotherapy.

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of pneumococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 1997;46(RR-8):124.Google Scholar
2. Lipsky, BA, Edward, JB, Inui, TS, Koepsell, TD. Risk factors for acquiring pneumococcal infections. Arch Intern Med 1986;146:21792185.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3. Quick, RE, Hoge, CW, Hamilton, DJ, Whitney, CJ, Borges, M, Kobayashi, JM. Underutilization of pneumococcal vaccine in nursing homes in Washington state: report of a serotype-specific outbreak and a survey. Am J Med 1993;94:149152.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage levels among persons aged >65 years. MMWR 1995;44:506507.65+years.+MMWR+1995;44:506–507.>Google Scholar
5. Hoge, CS, Reichler, MR, Dominguez, EA, Bremer, RS, Mastro, TD, Hendricks, MD, et al. An epidemic of pneumococcal disease in an overcrowded, inadequately ventilated jail. N Engl J Med 1994;331:643648.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6. Cherian, T, Steinhoff, MC, Harrison, LH, Rohn, D, McDougal, LK, Dick, J. A cluster of invasive pneumococcal disease in young children in child care. JAMA 1994;271:695697.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7. Stata Reference Manual, Release 5, Vol 1. College Station, TX: Stata Press; 1997:286.Google Scholar
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreaks of pneumococcal pneumonia among unvaccinated residents in chronic care facilities— Massachusetts, October 1995; Oklahoma, February 1996; and Maryland, May-June 1996. MMWR 1997;46:6062.Google Scholar
9. Snow, R, Babish, JD, McBean, AM. Is there any connection between a second pneumonia shot and hospitalization among Medicare beneficiaries? Public Health Rep 1995;110:720725.Google ScholarPubMed
10. Farr, BM, Johnston, BL, Cobb, DK, Fisch, MJ, Germanson, TP, Adal, KA, et al. Preventing pneumococcal bacteremia in patients at risk. Arch Intern Med 1995;155:23362340.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11. Musher, DM, Groover, JE, Graviss, EA, Baughn, RE. The lack of association between aging and postvaccination levels of IgG antibody to capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae . Clin Infect Dis 1996;22:165167.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed