Nosocomial Burkholderia cepacia outbreak in an intensive pediatric care unit

Backgroung.-We report an outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia respiratory tract infection and colonization in an intensive pediatric care unit. Patients and methods.-Between February and December 1999, B. cepacia was isolated from five children hospitalized in this unit. We reviewed the charts of the patients, evaluated the antiseptics use and the disinfection practices for reusable patient care equipment. An environmental study was conducted and comparison of B. cepacia was per-formed with genotypic method (RAPD). Results.-All patients were mechanically ventilated and had received large spectrum antibiotics. The disinfection procedure for reusable equipment was not respected and some single-dose of antiseptics solutions were used for several patients. B. cepacia was not found in 34 environmental samples. The RAPD assay revealed that all five isolates had identical DNA profiles. Conclusion.-Despite the investigation the source of the B. cepacia clone in this nosocomial outbreak remained unknown, but antiseptics use and disinfection practices were revised. No new B. cepacia infections were identified after control measures were implemented. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. Tons droits reserves.