ENTEROBACTER-CLOACAE SEPTICEMIA IN A BURN CENTER - EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF AN OUTBREAK

An outbreak of infections due to E. cloacae occurred in the burn center at the Medical College of Virginia (Richmond, Virginia, USA) in 1976. Fifteen patients had bacteremia due to E. cloacae; 10 cases of bacteria occurred during 6 wk in Jan. and Feb. The development of bacteremia was significantly related to the extent of 3rd degree burn and to admission to the burn center in Jan. and Feb., but not to the presence of an i.v. cannula, underlying disease or antimicrobial therapy. E. cloacae was spread by contaminated hands of personnel and by cross-contamination of hydrotherapy water. A shortage of staff appeared to be an important factor in the occurrence of the outbreak. Control measures included an increase in the number of personnel, instruction of personnel in proper aseptic technique and adoption of a new hydrotherapy protocol.