DNA analysis of nosocomial infection by Enterobacter aerogenes in three cases of septicaemia in Japan

J Hosp Infect. 2002 Jul;51(3):221-5. doi: 10.1053/jhin.2002.1255.

Abstract

Ceftazidime-resistant Enterobacter aerogenes was isolated from blood cultures of three patients with fever. DNA analysis using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and ribosomal RNA gene restriction digest pattern analysis revealed that the strains were clonally similar to each other with a 79.3-96.0% homology. The same strain of E. aerogenes was isolated from a three-way stopcock connected to the indwelling catheter in one of the patients at a concentration of 45 cfu/mL. A similar strain was also isolated from the urine of one other patient on the same floor. The data suggest that E. aerogenes caused septicaemia via low bacterial contamination of a three-way stopcock in a peripheral drip intravenous infusion system in at least one patient, and that the outbreak of E. aerogenes infections was due to clonally-related strains.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross Infection / etiology*
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis*
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Enterobacter aerogenes / drug effects
  • Enterobacter aerogenes / isolation & purification*
  • Enterobacter aerogenes / pathogenicity
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / etiology*
  • Equipment Contamination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Ribotyping / methods*
  • Sepsis / etiology*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial