scholarly journals Outbreak ofTsukamurellaSpecies Bloodstream Infection among Patients at an Oncology Clinic, West Virginia, 2011–2012

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac See ◽  
Duc B. Nguyen ◽  
Somu Chatterjee ◽  
Thein Shwe ◽  
Melissa Scott ◽  
...  

Objective.To determine the source and identify control measures of an outbreak ofTsukamurellaspecies bloodstream infections at an outpatient oncology facility.Design.Epidemiologic investigation of the outbreak with a case-control study.Methods.A case was an infection in whichTsukamurellaspecies was isolated from a blood or catheter tip culture during the period January 2011 through June 2012 from a patient of the oncology clinic. Laboratory records of area hospitals and patient charts were reviewed. A case-control study was conducted among clinic patients to identify risk factors forTsukamurellaspecies bloodstream infection. Clinic staff were interviewed, and infection control practices were assessed.Results.Fifteen cases ofTsukamurella (Tsukamurella pulmonisorTsukamurella tyrosinosolvens) bloodstream infection were identified, all in patients with underlying malignancy and indwelling central lines. The median age of case patients was 68 years; 47% were male. The only significant risk factor for infection was receipt of saline flush from the clinic during the period September–October 2011 (P= .03), when the clinic had been preparing saline flush from a common-source bag of saline. Other infection control deficiencies that were identified at the clinic included suboptimal procedures for central line access and preparation of chemotherapy.Conclusion.Although multiple infection control lapses were identified, the outbreak was likely caused by improper preparation of saline flush syringes by the clinic. The outbreak demonstrates that bloodstream infections among oncology patients can result from improper infection control practices and highlights the critical need for increased attention to and oversight of infection control in outpatient oncology settings.

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Unger ◽  
Estella Whimbey ◽  
Michael G. Gravett ◽  
David A. Eschenbach

Objective. An outbreak of 20 peripartumClostridium difficileinfections (CDI) occurred on the obstetrical service at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) between April 2006 and June 2007. In this report, we characterize the clinical manifestations, describe interventions that appeared to reduce CDI, and determine potential risk factors for peripartum CDI.Methods. An investigation was initiated after the first three peripartum CDI cases. Based on the findings, enhanced infection control measures and a modified antibiotic regimen were implemented. We conducted a case-control study of peripartum cases and unmatched controls.Results. During the outbreak, there was an overall incidence of 7.5 CDI cases per 1000 deliveries. Peripartum CDI infection compared to controls was significantly associated with cesarean delivery (70% versus 34%;P=0.03), antibiotic use (95% versus 56%;P=0.001), chorioamnionitis (35% versus 5%;P=0.001), and the use of the combination of ampicillin, gentamicin, and clindamycin (50% versus 3%;P<0.001). Use of combination antibiotics remained a significant independent risk factor for CDI in the multivariate analysis.Conclusions. The outbreak was reduced after the implementation of multiple infection control measures and modification of antibiotic use. However, sporadic CDI continued for 8 months after these measures slowed the outbreak. Peripartum women appear to be another population susceptible to CDI.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. e2019015
Author(s):  
Fekri Dureab ◽  
Albrecht Jahn ◽  
Johannes Krisam ◽  
Asma Dureab ◽  
Omer Zain ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES: The cholera outbreak in Yemen has become the largest in the recent history of cholera records, having reached more than 1.4 million cases since it started in late 2016. This study aimed to identify risk factors for cholera in this outbreak.METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in Aden in 2018 to investigate risk factors for cholera in this still-ongoing outbreak. In total, 59 cholera cases and 118 community controls were studied.RESULTS: The following risk factors were associated with being a cholera case in the bivariate analysis: a history of travelling and having had visitors from outside Aden Province; eating outside the house; not washing fruit, vegetables, and khat (a local herbal stimulant) before consumption; using common-source water; and not using chlorine or soap in the household. In the multivariate analysis, not washing khat and the use of common-source water remained significant risk factors for being a cholera case.CONCLUSIONS: Behavioural factors and unsafe water appear to be the major risk factors in the recent cholera outbreak in Yemen. In order to reduce the risk of cholera, hygiene practices for washing khat and vegetables and the use and accessibility of safe drinking water should be promoted at the community level.


10.2196/14227 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. e14227
Author(s):  
Houda Moumni Abdou ◽  
Ilham Dahbi ◽  
Mohammed Akrim ◽  
Fatima Zahra Meski ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
...  

Background On June 18, 2017, the public health service was alerted about 43 students in the training institute in Rabat who were admitted to the emergency room for acute gastroenteritis following the uptake of a meal a day before. Objective This study aimed to investigate the foodborne disease outbreak by confirming the outbreak, identifying the source of contamination, and recommending control measures. Methods We conducted a case-control study. Cases and controls were selected in a ratio of 1:1. We defined a case as any member of the training institute who attended the Ramadan buffet in the institute’s restaurant and who had presented, in the weekend of June 16 to 20, 2017, symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting with at least one of the following signs: abdominal pain, fever, headache, nausea, and dizziness. A control was defined as anyone who attended the Ramadan buffet in the institute’s restaurant but had not presented any symptoms from June 16 to 20, 2017. We conducted a bivariate and multivariable analysis. Stools of ill students were collected, and a food specimen was collected for bacterial testing. Results A total of 50 cases and 50 controls were selected. Among the cases, males were predominant (43/50, 86%); the median age was 21 years. A total of 47 cases sought medical care. There were no hospitalizations and no deaths. The episode was short with an estimated average incubation period of 9 hours. The epidemic curve oriented toward a common source of contamination. Among food items, briwates were strongly associated with the illness with an odd ratio of 14.23 (95% CI 5.04-40.04; P<.001). Laboratory testing of briwates showed presence of Escherichia coli O157 and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusions This foodborne disease outbreak was likely caused by briwates that was contaminated with S aureus and E coli. We recommended strengthening hygiene measures. Food handling techniques should be taught as part of continuous professional development for food handlers.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Houda Moumni Abdou ◽  
Ilham Dahbi ◽  
Mohammed Akrim ◽  
Fatima Zahra Meski ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND On June 18, 2017, the public health service was alerted about 43 students in the training institute in Rabat who were admitted to the emergency room for acute gastroenteritis following the uptake of a meal a day before. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the foodborne disease outbreak by confirming the outbreak, identifying the source of contamination, and recommending control measures. METHODS We conducted a case-control study. Cases and controls were selected in a ratio of 1:1. We defined a case as any member of the training institute who attended the Ramadan buffet in the institute’s restaurant and who had presented, in the weekend of June 16 to 20, 2017, symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting with at least one of the following signs: abdominal pain, fever, headache, nausea, and dizziness. A control was defined as anyone who attended the Ramadan buffet in the institute’s restaurant but had not presented any symptoms from June 16 to 20, 2017. We conducted a bivariate and multivariable analysis. Stools of ill students were collected, and a food specimen was collected for bacterial testing. RESULTS A total of 50 cases and 50 controls were selected. Among the cases, males were predominant (43/50, 86%); the median age was 21 years. A total of 47 cases sought medical care. There were no hospitalizations and no deaths. The episode was short with an estimated average incubation period of 9 hours. The epidemic curve oriented toward a common source of contamination. Among food items, briwates were strongly associated with the illness with an odd ratio of 14.23 (95% CI 5.04-40.04; <italic>P</italic>&lt;.001). Laboratory testing of briwates showed presence of <italic>Escherichia coli</italic> O157 and <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic>. CONCLUSIONS This foodborne disease outbreak was likely caused by briwates that was contaminated with <italic>S aureus</italic> and <italic>E coli</italic>. We recommended strengthening hygiene measures. Food handling techniques should be taught as part of continuous professional development for food handlers.


2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila M. Nolan ◽  
Jeffrey S. Gerber ◽  
Theoklis Zaoutis ◽  
Priya Prasad ◽  
Susan Rettig ◽  
...  

Objective.To detect the burden of vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus(VRE) colonization among pediatric oncology patients and to determine risk factors for VRE acquisition.Design.Retrospective case-control study.Setting.The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.Patients.Pediatric oncology patients hospitalized from June 2006 through December 2007.Methods.Prevalence surveys revealed an increased VRE burden among pediatric oncology patients. For the case-control study, the 16 case patients were pediatric oncology patients who had 1 stool sample negative for VRE at screening before having a stool sample positive for VRE at screening; the 62 control patients had 2 consecutive screenings in which stool samples were negative for VRE. Case and control patients were matched on the duration of the interval between screens. Analyses were performed to determine the association between multiple exposures and VRE acquisition.Results.The prevalence survey revealed that 5 (9.6%) of 52 patients had unsuspected VRE colonization at the time of hospitalization. Multivariate analysis identified a lack of empirical contact precautions (odds ratio [OR], 17.16 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.49–198.21];P= .02) and the presence of a gastrointestinal device (OR, 4.03 [95% CI, 1.04–15.56];P= .04) as significant risk factors for acquisition of VRE. Observations in the interventional radiology department revealed that staff could not access the portions of the electronic medical record in which isolation precautions were documented. Simple interventions that granted access and that trained interventional radiology staff to review the need for precautions, coupled with enhanced infection control practices, interrupted ongoing transmission and reduced the proportion of VRE screens that were positive to 15 (1.2%) of 1,270.Conclusions.Inadequate communication with regard to infection control precautions can increase the risk of transmission of epidemiologically important organisms, particularly when patients receive care at multiple clinic locations. Adherence to infection control practices across the spectrum of care may limit the spread of resistant organisms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arisara Poosari ◽  
Thitima Nutravong ◽  
Prakasit Sa-ngiamwibool ◽  
Wises Namwat ◽  
Supaporn Chatrchaiwiwatana ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown the association between Campylobacter species infection and that environmental factors, poor oral hygiene in particular, are linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer (EC). However, no study has reported on these factors in Thailand. Thus, this study’s objective was to evaluate the impact of the relationship between Campylobacter infection and environmental factors on EC incidence in the population of Thailand. Methods Data from a case–control study were collected from 105 newly diagnosed EC cases and 105 controls recruited from 2007 to 2017. Infection with Campylobacter spp. was detected in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue of EC taken from gastroesophageal biopsy specimens obtained from the participants, and evaluated using TaqMan® real-time PCR. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and perform data analysis. Results Smoking, alcohol use, a family history of cancer, history of gastroesophageal reflux disease, poor oral hygiene and Campylobacter spp. infection were shown to be significant risk factors for EC (p  <  0.05). The combination of poor oral hygiene and infection with Campylobacter spp. constituted significant risk for EC (p  <  0.001). In addition, the risk of EC in subjects co-infected with C. rectus and C. concisus that practiced poor oral hygiene was even higher and was significant (ORadj  =  4.7; 95% CI 2.41–9.98; p  =  0.003). Conclusions In Thailand, the major risk factors for EC are smoking status, alcohol drinking, family history of cancer, GERD, poor oral hygiene and Campylobacter spp. infection. This study found Campylobacter spp. prevalence to be associated with EC and appears to be enhanced by poor oral hygiene, suggesting that a combination of poor oral hygiene and Campylobacter species infection may together act as an important etiological risk factor for EC.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayana Fram ◽  
Mônica Taminato ◽  
Vinicius Ponzio ◽  
Silvia Manfredi ◽  
Cibele Grothe ◽  
...  

2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 761-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Weist ◽  
Constanze Wendt ◽  
Lyle R. Petersen ◽  
Hans Versmold ◽  
Henning Rüden

Objective:To investigate an outbreak of methicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcus aureus(MSSA); infections in a neonatal clinic.Design:Prospective chart review, environmental sampling, and genotyping by two independent methods: pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). A case-control study was performed with 31 controls from the same clinic.Setting:A German 1,350-bed tertiary-care teaching university hospital.Results:There was a significant increase in the incidence of pyodermas with MSSA 10 neonates in good physical condition with no infection immediately after birth developed pyodermas. A shared spatula and ultrasound gel were the only identified infection sources. The gel contained MSSA and was used for hip-joint sonographies in all neonates. PFGE and RAPD-PCR patterns from 6 neonates and from the gel were indistinguishable and thus genetically related clones. The case-control study revealed no significant risk factor with the exception of cesarean section (P=.006). The attack rate by days of hip-joint sonography between April 15 and April 27, 1994, was 11.8% to 40%.Conclusions:Inappropriate hygienic measures in connection with lubricants during routine ultrasound scanning may lead to nosocomialS aureusinfections of the skin. To our knowledge this source ofS aureusinfections has not previously been described.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkareem Ali Hussein Nassar ◽  
Amr Abdulaziz Torbosh ◽  
Yassin Abdulmalik Mahyoub ◽  
Mohammed Abdullah Al Amad

Abstract Background: Dengue Fever (DF) is a significant health problem in Yemen especially in the coastal areas. On November 6, 2018, Taiz governorates surveillance officer notified the Ministry of Public Health and Population on an increase in the number of suspected DF in Al Qahirah and Al Mudhaffar districts, Taiz governorate. On November 7, 2018, Field Epidemiology Training Program sent a team to perform an investigation. The aims were to confirm and describe the outbreak by person, place and time in Taiz governorate, and identify its risk factors.Methodology: Descriptive and case-control study (1:2 ratio) were conducted. WHO case definition was used to identify cases in Al Qahirah or Al Mudhaffar districts during August-November 2018. Control was selected from the same districts who did not suffer from DF. Predesigned questionnaire was used to collect data related to sociodemographic, behavioral and environmental characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate backward stepwise analyses were used. The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. A P value < 0.05 was considered as the cut point for statistically significant. Epi info version 7.2 was used.Results: A total of 50 DF cases were found. Almost 52% were males and 76% were <30 years of age. The overall attack rate was 1/10,000 of the population. Case fatality rate was 4%. In multivariate analysis, not working (aOR = 26.6, 95% CI: 6.8–104.7), not using mosquito repellent (aOR = 13.9, 95% CI:1.4–136.8), wearing short sleeves/pants (aOR = 27.3, 95% CI: 4.8–156.8), poor sanitation (aOR = 5.4, 95% CI: 1.4–20.3), presence of outdoor trees (aOR = 13.2, 95% CI: 2.8–63.0) and houses without window nets (aOR = 15.7, 95% CI: 3.9–63.4) were statistically significant risk factors associated with DF outbreak. Eleven 11 (58%) of blood samples were positive for DF IgM.Conclusions: DF outbreak in Al Qahirah and Al Mudhaffar districts, Taiz governorate was confirmed. This study provides evidence-based information regarding the identified risk factors that contributed to the occurrence of this outbreak. Raising community awareness on the importance of personal protection measures and improving the sanitation services are strongly recommended.


Author(s):  
Mayadevi Brahmanandan ◽  
Lekshmi Murukesan ◽  
Bindu Nambisan ◽  
Shaila Salmabeevi

Background: The greatest risks to life are in its very beginning. Although a good start in life begins well before birth, it is just before, during, and in the very first hours and days after birth that life is most at risk. This prospective case control study was designed on maternal risk factors for perinatal mortality.Methods: This was a case control study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Paediatrics, Medical College Trivandrum for one year period in 2004-2005. The cases were all the fresh and macerated still births and early neonatal death cases during the study period. The controls were chosen as the next delivery entry in the OR register.Results: During this period, the total number of deliveries was 14,796 and there were 431 perinatal deaths. The perinatal mortality rate was 29.12. This was much higher compared to Kerala’s perinatal mortality rate of 10, the reason being that the study is conducted in a tertiary referral hospital with one of the best new born care nurseries and a large number of referrals. The most significant risk factors for perinatal mortality were low socio-economic status, referrals, late registration, prematurity, low birth weight, intra-uterine growth restriction, maternal diseases like gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes and intrapartum complications like abruption.Conclusions: Perinatal mortality rate serves as the most sensitive index of maternal and neonatal care. Good antenatal care and prevention of preterm birth may play a key role in further reduction of PMR.


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