Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T17:43:28.029Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Gordonia bronchialis Sternal Wound Infection in 3 Patients following Open Heart Surgery: Intraoperative Transmission from a Healthcare Worker

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Shaneka N. Wright*
Affiliation:
Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida
Joanna S. Gerry
Affiliation:
Department of Advanced Practice Nursing, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, Florida
Mary T. Busowski
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida
Alena Y. Klochko
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida
Steven G. McNulty
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Division of, Mycobacteria/Nocardia Research Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas
Scott A. Brown
Affiliation:
Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida
Barry E. Sieger
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida
P. Ken Michaels
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida
Mark R. Wallace
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida
*
Infection Prevention and Control Department, Orlando Health, 1414 Kuhl Avenue, Orlando, FL 32806 ([email protected])

Abstract

We describe an investigation of 3 postoperative Gordonia bronchialis sternal infections. A nurse anesthetist was identified as the source of the outbreak, her scrubs likely becoming contaminated by her home washing machine. The outbreak ended after disposal of the implicated washing machine. Domestic laundering of surgical scrubs may need reevaluation.

Type
Concise Communication
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Ivanova, N, Johannes, S, Jando, M. Complete genome sequence of Gordonia bronchialis type strain. Stand Genomic Sci 2010;2(1):1928.Google Scholar
2.Richet, H, Craven, P, Brown, J, et al.A cluster of Rhodococcus (Gordona) bronchialis sternal wound infections after coronary artery bypass surgery. N Engl J Med 1991;324:104109.Google Scholar
3.Kuwabara, M, Onitsuka, T, Nakamura, K, Shimada, M, Ohtaki, S, Mikami, Y. Mediastinitis due to Gordona sputi after CABG. J Cardiovasc Surg 1999;40:675677.Google Scholar
4.Steingrube, VA, Gibson, JL, Brown, BA, et al.PCR amplification and restriction endonuclease analysis of a 65-kilodalton heat shock protein gene sequence for taxonomic separation of rapidly growing mycobacteria. J Clin Microbiol 1995;33:149153 (erratum, 33:1686).Google Scholar
5.Hall, L, Doerr, KA, Wohlfiel, SL, Roberts, GD. Evaluation of the MicroSeq system for identification of mycobacteria by 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing and its integration into a routine clinical mycobacteriology laboratory. J Clin Microbiol 2003;41:14471453.Google Scholar
6.Zhang, Y, Yakrus, MA, Graviss, EA, et al.Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis study of Mycobacterium abscessus isolates previously affected by DNA degradation. J Clin Microbiol 2004;42:55825587.Google Scholar
7. Gattlen, J, Amberg, C, Zinn, M, Mauclaire, L. Biofilms isolated from washing machines from three continents and their tolerance to a standard detergent. Biofouling 2010;26(8):873882.Google Scholar
8.Albenna, S. Laundering of theatre scrubs at home. J Perioper Pract 2010;20:392396.Google Scholar
9.Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN). Peri-operative Standards and Recommended Practices. Denver: AORN Publications, 2011.Google Scholar
10.Winer-Well, Y, Galuty, M, Rudensky, B, Sclesinger, Y, Attias, D, Yinnon, A. Nursing and physician attire as possible source of nosocomial infections. Am J Infect Control 2011;39:555559.Google Scholar