Epidemic of Pseudomonas cepacia in an adult cystic fibrosis unit: evidence of person-to-person transmission

J Clin Microbiol. 1993 Nov;31(11):3017-22. doi: 10.1128/jcm.31.11.3017-3022.1993.

Abstract

An epidemic of Pseudomonas cepacia occurred in an adult cystic fibrosis center in the United Kingdom, despite a policy of segregation of infected and noninfected patients within the hospital. Investigation of the outbreak by ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to characterize P. cepacia strain genomes together with inquiry into social contacts between patients revealed evidence of person-to-person transmission outside the hospital environment. Segregation policies aimed at reducing the spread of this infection in the cystic fibrosis community need to encompass patient contacts outside the hospital environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Burkholderia cepacia* / genetics
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / transmission*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Pseudomonas Infections / epidemiology
  • Pseudomonas Infections / transmission*
  • United Kingdom