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An Outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Associated With Contaminated Albuterol Nebulization Solution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

A.C. Reboli ,
R. Koshinski ,
K. Arias ,
K. Marks-Austin ,
D. Stieritz  and
T.L. Stull
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Abstract

An outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia lower respiratory tract colonization and infection occurred in the adult intensive-care units in various geographic locations throughout our hospital. Forty-four patients became colonized or infected over an 11-month period, whereas B cepacia had been isolated from only 13 patients in the preceding 48 months. Environmental cultures revealed the source to be extrinsically contaminated albuterol nebulization solution. Polymerase chain reaction-ribotyping confirmed the genetic relatedness of the B cepacia patient isolates and the contaminated albuterol. After extensive infection control training for the respiratory therapy staff, including attention to nebulization technique, washing and drying the nebulizer cup, and good handwashing, there have not been any new cases.

Type
Concise Communications
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 17 , Issue 11 , November 1996 , pp. 741 - 743
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1996

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