A cluster of mucormycosis infections in hematology patients: challenges in investigation and control of invasive mold infections in high-risk patient populations.

Mucormycosis has been reported to be occurring more frequently in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients in recent years. We investigated a hospital cluster of mucormycosis cases among patients with hematologic disorders. Case-patients were identified through hospital microbiology and pathology database searches and compared to randomly selected controls matched on underlying disease and hospital discharge date using conditional logistic regression. Environmental assessments, including collection of samples for fungal cultures, were performed. Of 11 case-patients, 6 (55%) had acute myelogenous leukemia and 3 (27%) were allogeneic HSCT recipients. Five case-patients (45%) died. In univariate analysis, case-patients were more likely than controls to have refractory hematologic disease (odds ratio [OR], 13.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-689); neutropenia >14 days (OR, 11.50; 95% CI, 1.27-558) or to have received voriconazole prophylaxis (OR, 11.26; 95% CI, 1.11-infinity). A point source was not identified. Factors such as underlying disease state and antifungal prophylaxis type may identify hematology patients at highest risk for mucormycosis. Our investigation highlighted critical knowledge gaps, including strain typing methods, the role of the hospital environment in mucormycosis outbreaks, and hospital environmental infection control measures most likely to reduce exposure of immunosuppressed persons to mucormycetes.

Comparison of risk factors for recovery of Acinetobacter baumannii during outbreaks at two Kentucky hospitals, 2006.

OBJECTIVES: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is a well-described cause of nosocomial outbreaks and can be highly resistant to antimicrobials. We investigated A. baumannii outbreaks at two Kentucky hospitals to find risk factors for Acinetobacter acquisition in hospitalized patients. METHODS: We performed case-control studies at both hospitals. We defined a case as a clinical culture growing A. baumannii from a patient from August 1 to October 31, 2006 (Hospital A), or April 1 to October 31, 2006 (Hospital B). RESULTS: Twenty-nine cases were identified at Hospital A and 72 cases were identified at Hospital B. The median case patient age was 42 years in Hospital A and 46 years in Hospital B. The majority of positive cultures were from sputum (Hospital A, 51.7%; Hospital B, 62.5%). The majority of case patients had multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (Hospital A, 75.9%; Hospital B, 70.8%). Using logistic regression, controlling for age and admitting location, mechanical ventilation (Hospital A odds ratio [OR] = 21.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.5, 265.9; Hospital B OR = 4.5, 95% CI 1.9, 11.1) was associated with A. baumannii recovery. Presence of a nonsurgical wound (OR = 6.6, 95% CI 1.2, 50.8) was associated with recovery of A. baumannii at Hospital A. CONCLUSIONS: We identified similar patient characteristics and risk factors for A. baumannii acquisition at both hospitals. Our findings necessitate the importance of review of infection control procedures related to respiratory therapy and wound care.

Epidemiologic investigation of a 2007 outbreak of Serratia marcescens bloodstream infection in Texas caused by contamination of syringes prefilled with heparin and saline.

This retrospective cohort study found that syringes prefilled with heparin flush solution caused an outbreak of Serratia marcescens bloodstream infection at an outpatient treatment center in Texas in 2007. The epidemiologic study supported this conclusion, despite the lack of microbiologic evidence of contamination from environmental and product testing. This report underscores the crucial contributions that epidemiologic studies can make to investigations of outbreaks that are possibly product related.

Outbreak of adverse reactions associated with contaminated heparin.

BACKGROUND: In January 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began a nationwide investigation of severe adverse reactions that were first detected in a single hemodialysis facility. Preliminary findings suggested that heparin was a possible cause of the reactions. METHODS: Information on clinical manifestations and on exposure was collected for patients who had signs and symptoms that were consistent with an allergic-type reaction after November 1, 2007. Twenty-one dialysis facilities that reported reactions and 23 facilities that reported no reactions were included in a case-control study to identify facility-level risk factors. Unopened heparin vials from facilities that reported reactions were tested for contaminants. RESULTS: A total of 152 adverse reactions associated with heparin were identified in 113 patients from 13 states from November 19, 2007, through January 31, 2008. The use of heparin manufactured by Baxter Healthcare was the factor most strongly associated with reactions (present in 100.0% of case facilities vs. 4.3% of control facilities, P<0.001). Vials of heparin manufactured by Baxter from facilities that reported reactions contained a contaminant identified as oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS). Adverse reactions to the OSCS-contaminated heparin were often characterized by hypotension, nausea, and shortness of breath occurring within 30 minutes after administration. Of 130 reactions for which information on the heparin lot was available, 128 (98.5%) occurred in a facility that had OSCS-contaminated heparin on the premises. Of 54 reactions for which the lot number of administered heparin was known, 52 (96.3%) occurred after the administration of OSCS-contaminated heparin. CONCLUSIONS: Heparin contaminated with OSCS was epidemiologically linked to adverse reactions in this nationwide outbreak. The reported clinical features of many of the cases further support the conclusion that contamination of heparin with OSCS was the cause of the outbreak.

Outbreak of cystoscopy related infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa: New Mexico, 2007.

PURPOSE: Personnel at the New Mexico Department of Health investigated a Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak potentially associated with outpatient cystoscopy performed by a urologist during January 1 to April 22, 2007. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared infection rates with baseline rates, reviewed infection control procedures and performed environmental sampling at the urologist office. We also performed a case-control study. Cases had blood or urine cultures positive for P. aeruginosa during January 1 to April 22, 2007. Controls had blood or urine cultures ordered through the same laboratory. Clinical and environmental isolates were typed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: A total of 23 case-patients were identified, including 17 with urinary tract infections alone, 2 with bacteremia alone and 4 with urinary tract infections plus bacteremia. Seven case-patients experienced P. aeruginosa infection after cystoscopy was performed by this urologist. On multivariate analysis cystoscopy done by this urologist was the strongest risk factor for positive P. aeruginosa culture (OR 46.5, 95% confidence limits 3.1, 705). Recent hospitalization, having a urinary catheter and age 75 years or older were also independently associated with case status. Multiple breaches in cystoscope reprocessing procedures were identified. The urologist cystoscope was culture positive for P. aeruginosa. All 4 available clinical isolates from patients in whom cystoscopy was done by this urologist had pulsed field gel electrophoresis patterns identical to those of specimens from the cystoscope. The implementation of proper reprocessing methods terminated the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation implicated a contaminated cystoscope as the likely source of these infections. Health care personnel who disinfect cystoscopes should follow manufacturer recommendations and guidelines on reprocessing flexible endoscopes. The development of cystoscope specific guidelines might promote increased compliance with correct reprocessing procedures.

The changing spectrum of clostridium difficile associated disease: implications for dentistry.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium that causes a wide range of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is best known for its association with uncomplicated antimicrobial-agent-associated diarrhea. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors describe two previously published cases of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) to highlight its varied clinical manifestations. A 48-year-old woman had mild CDAD after receiving antibiotics after undergoing endodontic surgery. She took metronidazole, and her C. difficile infection resolved. A 31-year-old pregnant woman developed severe CDAD after receiving antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. She underwent surgery to remove part of her colon, but her condition worsened, and she died. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dentists often prescribe antimicrobial agents to treat infections. Until recently, these agents also were recommended as prophylaxis for infective endocarditis during invasive oral procedures. An important risk factor for CDAD and recurrent CDAD is antimicrobial agent exposure. Dentists should be aware of CDAD to help prevent its spread and facilitate early recognition and treatment to minimize severe outcomes.

A case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease associated with a dura mater graft in the United States.

We describe a case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease associated with a dura mater graft (Lyodura brand) in a 26-year-old man who underwent several neurosurgical procedures as a child. Clinicians and infection control personnel should be aware that recipients of Lyodura brand dura mater grafts processed before May 1987 may remain at increased risk for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease throughout their lives.

Toxic shock associated with Clostridium sordellii and Clostridium perfringens after medical and spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the risk of fatal toxic shock caused by Clostridium sordellii in women who had a recent medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol. METHODS: We performed active and passive surveillance for cases of toxic shock associated with medical or spontaneous abortion. To identify the cause of toxic shock, immunohistochemical assays for multiple bacteria were performed on formalin-fixed surgical and autopsy tissues. We extracted DNA from tissues, performed Clostridium species-specific polymerase chain reaction assays, and sequenced amplified products for confirmation of Clostridium species. RESULTS: We report four patients with toxic shock associated with Clostridium species infection after medical or spontaneous abortion. Two women had fatal Clostridium perfringens infections after medically induced abortions: one with laminaria and misoprostol and one with the regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol. One woman had a nonfatal Clostridium sordellii infection after spontaneous abortion. Another woman had a fatal C sordellii infection after abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol. All four patients had a rapidly progressive illness with necrotizing endomyometritis. CONCLUSION: Toxic shock after abortion can be caused by C perfringens as well as C sordellii, can be nonfatal, and can occur after spontaneous abortion and abortion induced by medical regimens other than mifepristone and misoprostol. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

The challenges posed by reemerging Clostridium difficile infection.

There have been recent, marked increases in the incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). These may be attributable to the emergence of a hypervirulent strain of C. difficile that produces increased levels of toxins A and B, as well as an extra toxin known as "binary toxin." This previously uncommon strain has become epidemic, coincident with its development of increased resistance to fluoroquinolones, the use of which is increasingly associated with CDAD outbreaks. Although not necessarily related to this epidemic strain, unusually severe CDAD has been reported in populations that had previously been thought to be at low risk, including peripartum women and healthy persons living in the community. Challenges posed by the changing epidemiology of CDAD are compounded by current limitations in diagnostic testing, treatment, and infection control. Overcoming these challenges and limitations will require a concerted effort from a variety of sources, including an ongoing partnership between infectious disease clinicians and public health professionals.

Oropharyngeal colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae among HIV-infected adults in Uganda: assessing prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae associated with oropharyngeal colonization in the Ugandan adult HIV population. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the outpatient HIV clinic at the Joint Clinical Research Centre in Kampala, Uganda between July 2004 and February 2005. Six hundred HIV-infected individuals were interviewed and had oropharyngeal specimens collected. Pneumococci were isolated from these specimens and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns determined using standard microdilution methods. Serotypes of the pneumococcal isolates were evaluated by capsular swelling reaction with commercial antisera. RESULTS: The prevalence of oropharyngeal colonization with pneumococci was 18% (108/600). Thirty-two different pneumococcal serotypes were identified, and the most common were serotypes 3 (14.7%), 19F (6.4%), 23F (6.4%), and 16 (5.5%). Seventy-two percent of the isolates were penicillin (PCN) intermediate (MICs 0.12-1 microg/mL), the remainder all being PCN susceptible, and >99% were trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) resistant. Novel PCN intermediate serotypes included 7, 11, 16, 20, 22, 24, and 34. Only one isolate was resistant to macrolides, and resistance to other antibiotics was rare. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected adults in Uganda are colonized with pneumococci that exhibit a high degree of TMP-SMX and PCN non-susceptibility, with several unique PCN non-susceptible serotypes that are not included in current vaccine preparations.

Occult Plasmodium vivax infection diagnosed by a polymerase chain reaction-based detection system: a case report.

After a trip to Zambia, a previously healthy adult traveler presented with a prolonged illness characterized by low-grade fevers and fatigue. Although malaria smears and antibody tests results for Plasmodium species were negative, a diagnosis of malaria was ultimately determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and species-specific nucleic acid hybridization techniques. The patient was successfully treated and cured. Clinical use of PCR technology may facilitate the identification of cases of smear-negative malaria, which up to the present time, have been difficult to diagnose.