An outbreak of surgical-wound infections due to group A Streptococcus carried on the scalp

Article Abstract:

An outbreak of surgical wound infections as a result of infection by the beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteria led to an epidemiologic investigation. In 10 of the previously reported outbreaks of this serious infection of wounds, a hospital worker directly involved with patient-care in the operating room was identified as the source. Twenty cases were identified during this outbreak, which represented an attack rate of 1 surgical wound infection for each 1,097 surgical procedures, which is about 5 to 10 times the expected frequency. Operating room staff were examined to see if they were carriers of beta-hemolytic strep, but none could be detected. Sterile plates were placed at strategic locations in the operating suites and a log of individuals entering various areas was kept. As a result of these detection methods, one individual was identified. The subject had a history of intermittent eczema since childhood. Although on her four previous examinations, no source of the organism could be found, close examination revealed areas of scaling on her scalp, ears, under her breasts and at skin folds. Her condition was diagnosed as psoriasis (a chronic skin condition resulting in a redness of the affected skin and scaling) and seborrhea (scalp infection of oil glands). She was treated with topical medications and systemic antibiotics, and was transferred away from the operating suite and other patient-care areas. Tests of other family members of this individual also revealed infections, which were similarly treated. Following the isolation of this individual, no further cases of surgical wound infection related to this subgroup of organism occurred at the hospital. In other cases of wound infection, the organism was usually located in the rectum or vagina of the infected worker. The present report identifies another possible source of infection the scalp. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Infection, Diagnosis, Prevention, Causes of, Surgical wound infections, Identification and classification, Nosocomial infections, Cross infection, Scalp

---

The prevalence of drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Atlanta

Article Abstract:

Strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae that are resistant to drugs are becoming more common. Researchers performed laboratory tests on bacteria isolated from 431 patients with pneumococcal diseases in Atlanta. During 1994, the overall incidence of invasive pneumococcal infection was 30 cases per 100,000 people. Twenty-five percent of the isolated bacteria were resistant to penicillin, 26% were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 9% were resistant to cefotaxime, and 15% were resistant to erythromycin. Children under 6 years old were more likely than older patients to have infections resistant to cefotaxime or multiple drugs. Whites were more likely than blacks to have drug-resistant infections. For instance, penicillin-resistant bacteria were isolated from 32% of whites and 19% of blacks. However, pneumococcal infections in general were more common in blacks. Prevention of drug-resistant infections requires more careful antibiotic prescription and greater use of the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine.

Health aspects, Drug resistance in microorganisms, Microbial drug resistance, Atlanta, Georgia

---

An outbreak of conjunctivitis due to atypical Streptococcus pneumoniae

Article Abstract:

A total of 698 students at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire developed an eye infection called conjunctivitis between January and April, 2002. The infection was caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae. The specific strain was found to be the same one that caused outbreaks of conjunctivitis in the US in 1980. Risk factors included contact lens use, contact with an infected student, being on a sports team, and living in a fraternity or sorority house or attending parties at one.

New Hampshire, Students, College, Diseases, College students, Pneumococcal infections, Conjunctivitis, Dartmouth College, Bacterial conjunctivitis

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: A nosocomial outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis infection due to the consumption of raw eggs. Risk factors for infection with plasmid-mediated high-level tetracycline resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Abstracts: The effect of bacteriostatic lubricant on group B streptococcal cultures of the female genital tract. Reliability of fetal buttock blood sampling in assessing the acid-base balance of the breech fetus
• Abstracts: The existence of publication bias and risk factors for its occurrence. The communities of scientists and journal peer review
• Abstracts: A clinical trial of beta carotene to prevent basal-cell and squamous-cell cancers of the skin. Risk of subsequent basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin among patients with prior skin cancer
• Abstracts: A phase II study of the combination of etoposide and cisplatin in the therapy of advanced gastric cancer. A clinical trial of biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil with N-phosphonoacetyl-L-aspartate and thymidine in advanced gastric and anaplastic colorectal cancer

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.