Invasive disease due to extended spectrum bata-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal unit:: the possible role of cockroaches

We recently experienced an outbreak of nosocomial disease due to extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal unit infested with cockroaches. Organisms isolated from cockroaches were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis from those colonizing infants or causing clinical disease using. Cockroach elimination together with standard infection-control measures resulted in control of the outbreak. We suggest cockroaches are possible vectors of pathogenic bacteria in the hospital environment. (C) 2000 The Hospital Infection Society.