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Pseudo-Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Associated With Presumed Laboratory Processing Contamination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Gonzalo Bearman ,
Carlos Vaamonde ,
Davise Larone ,
Lewis Drusin  and
Gianna Zuccotti
Gonzalo Bearman
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
Carlos Vaamonde
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
Davise Larone
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
Lewis Drusin
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
Gianna Zuccotti*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
*
Division of Infectious Disease, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 420, New York, NY 10021
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Abstract

An investigation prompted by six positive cultures for multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis during a 7-week period found that an unusual resistance pattern, temporal proximity of laboratory processing, and identical DNA fingerprints supported the theory of cross-contamination. Laboratory processing procedures included specimen batching and multi-use vials of buffer solution. Processing procedures were changed and no additional cases of suspected cross-contamination have been observed. '(Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2002;23:622).

Type
Concise Communications
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 23 , Issue 10 , October 2002 , pp. 620 - 622
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2002

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