Staggered enforcement of infection control and prevention measures following four consecutive potential laboratory exposures to imported Brucella melitensis. Issue 2 (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miendje Deyi, V.Y.; Mori, M.; Dauby, N.; Clevenbergh, P.; Mahadeb, B.; Loizidou, A.; Maillart, E.; Martiny, D.; Debyttere, A.L.; Gerard, M.; Hallin, M.
• Is Part Of: Infection Prevention in Practice. Volume 3:Issue 2(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Brucellosis -- Laboratory workers -- Laboratory exposure -- Risk assessment -- Biosafety -- Infection control and prevention practices; Biovar (bv) -- Center of Disease Control (CDC) -- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) -- Cliniques Universitaires de Bruxelles (CUB) -- Emergency Room (ER) -- Laboratoire Hospitalier Universitaire de Bruxelles – Universitair Laboratorium Brussel (LHUB-ULB) -- National Reference Centre (NRC) -- Laboratory Acquired Infection (LAI) -- Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP); Infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Infection Control; Infection -- Prevention; Electronic journals; Periodical; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.9045
• DOI: 10.1016/j.infpip.2021.100128
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2590-0889

Abstract

Summary: From 2015 until 2020, Brucella melitensis was isolated four times in our microbiology laboratory. All patients had travelled in endemic-areas. Immediately after the first occurrence, all laboratory staff were risk-stratified and preventive and protective measures were applied according to CDC guidelines. Nineteen workers were exposed and needed chemoprophylaxis and follow-up. At each subsequent occurrence, risk analysis was performed, and additional measures were implemented accordingly, leading to a progressive reduction of exposed staff members to none the fourth time. We describe here the additional measures that permitted this important exposure reduction.