Outbreaks of Leuconostoc mesenteroides in a Hospital
Author Information
Author(s): Bou Germán, Saleta Jesús Luis, Nieto Juan Antonio Sáez, Tomás Mar, Valdezate Silvia, Sousa Dolores, Lueiro Francisco, Villanueva Rosa, Pereira Maria Jose, Llinares Pedro
Primary Institution: Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Juan Canalejo
Hypothesis
What are the epidemiologic features and risk factors associated with Leuconostoc mesenteroides infections in a hospital setting?
Conclusion
The study found that parenteral nutrition was likely the source of the Leuconostoc mesenteroides outbreaks in the hospital.
Supporting Evidence
- 42 patients were infected during the first outbreak and 6 during the second outbreak.
- Parenteral nutrition was identified as a likely source of the infections.
- 9 of the 42 patients died, with 3 deaths directly related to the infection.
- All bacterial isolates were obtained from clinical samples and identified using phenotypic methods.
- Microbiologic controls of parenteral nutrition were reinforced after the outbreaks.
Takeaway
Some patients in a hospital got sick from a germ called Leuconostoc that came from the food they were given through a tube. This shows that we need to be careful with how we prepare and give that food.
Methodology
A case-control study was conducted to identify risk factors associated with the infection, comparing infected patients to controls with other nosocomial infections.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in selecting control patients from the same department and time frame.
Limitations
The study was limited to a single hospital and may not be generalizable to other settings.
Participant Demographics
The study included 42 infected patients, with 11 being newborns and the rest adults, primarily with severe underlying diseases.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.023
Confidence Interval
95% CI
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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