Molecular Characterization of Mycobacterium abscessus Strains Isolated from a Hospital Outbreak
Author Information
Author(s): Lakshmy Anantha Raman, Noman Siddiqi, Mohammed Shamim, Monorama Deb, Geeta Mehta, Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain
Primary Institution: Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India
Conclusion
The study identified the source of a hospital outbreak of Mycobacterium abscessus to be contaminated tap water and a defective autoclaving process.
Supporting Evidence
- M. abscessus has been implicated in various infections including cutaneous and soft tissue infections.
- The outbreak was traced to tap water and a defective autoclaving process.
- The PCR-PRA method allows for rapid identification of mycobacteria.
Takeaway
Doctors found a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium abscessus that made people sick in a hospital, and it came from dirty water and broken equipment.
Methodology
The study involved testing clinical samples for acid-fast bacilli and identifying the organism biochemically and through PCR-restriction enzyme pattern analysis.
Limitations
The study's identification method does not require hybridization to species-specific probes, which is a limitation of other methods.
Participant Demographics
The study involved 45 patients, including 42 day-care patients and 3 inpatients who had undergone major surgery.
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