Pseudo-outbreak of Mycobacterium gordonae Following the Opening of a Newly Constructed Hospital at a Chicago Medical Center. (18th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prabaker, Kavitha; Muthiah, Chethra; Hayden, Mary K.; Weinstein, Robert A.; Cheerala, Jyothirmai; L. Scorza, Mary; Segreti, John; Lavin, Mary A.; Schmitt, Barbara A.; Welbel, Sharon F.; Beavis, Kathleen G.; Trenholme, Gordon M.
• Is Part Of: Infection control and hospital epidemiology. Volume 36:Number 2(2015)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 203
• Publication Date: 2014-12-18
• Subjects: Nosocomial infections -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Hospital buildings -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2014.28
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-823X

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE: To identify the source of a pseudo-outbreak of Mycobacterium gordonae DESIGN: Outbreak investigation. SETTING: University Hospital in Chicago, Ilinois. PATIENTS: Hospital patients with M. gordonae -positive clinical cultures. METHODS: An increase in isolation of M. gordonae from clinical cultures was noted immediately following the opening of a newly constructed hospital in January 2012. We reviewed medical records of patients with M. gordonae -positive cultures collected between January and December 2012 and cultured potable water specimens in new and old hospitals quantitatively for mycobacteria. RESULTS: Of 30 patients with M. gordonae -positive clinical cultures, 25 (83.3%) were housed in the new hospital; of 35 positive specimens (sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, gastric aspirate), 32 (91.4%) had potential for water contamination. M. gordonae was more common in water collected from the new vs. the old hospital [147 of 157 (93.6%) vs. 91 of 113 (80.5%), P =.001]. Median concentration of M. gordonae was higher in the samples from the new vs. the old hospital (208 vs. 48 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL; P <.001). Prevalence and concentration of M. gordonae were lower in water samples from ice and water dispensers [13 of 28 (46.4%) and 0 CFU/mL] compared with water samples from patient rooms and common areas [225 of 242 (93%) and 146 CFU/mL, P <.001]. CONCLUSIONS: M. gordonae was common in potable water. The pseudo-outbreak of M. gordonae was likely due to increased concentrations of M. gordonae in the potable water supply of the new hospital. A silver ion-impregnated 0.5-μm filter may have been responsible for lower concentrations of M. gordonae identified in ice/water dispenser samples. Hospitals should anticipate that construction activities may amplify the presence of waterborne nontuberculous mycobacterial contaminants. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;00(0): 1–6