Historical outbreak of Salmonella hadar. Issue 2 (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deshpande, A.; Curran, E.T.; Jamdar, S.; Inkster, T.; Jones, B.L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 91:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2015.05.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Summary</title> <sec> <title id="sectitle0015">Background</title> <p id="abspara0010">This article reports a historical outbreak of <italic>Salmonella hadar</italic> in a maternity setting. The outbreak occurred following admission of an infected index case, with transmission to 11 other individuals over a three-month period in a maternity and neonatal unit.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0020">Methods</title> <p id="abspara0015">Despite rigorous assessment of clinical practices, screening of patients and staff, and review of disinfection and sterilization policies, the outbreak was difficult to control. This possibly reflects the capacity of <italic>S. hadar</italic> to survive well in the environment, and cause prolonged and asymptomatic carriage with intermittent shedding.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0025">Findings</title> <p id="abspara0020">It is likely that the index case was a mother who had contracted infection after eating suspect food. Additionally, infection may have been perpetuated by shared use of tubes of yellow soft paraffin for lubrication of digital rectal thermometers.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0030">Conclusion</title> <p id="abspara0025">This outbreak emphasizes the difficulties in controlling outbreaks of <italic>S. hadar</italic> infection in an obstetric/neonatal setting, and also emphasizes the importance of early stool sampling in any patient with diarrhoeal symptoms.</p> </sec> </abstract>