Outbreak of Ralstonia pickettii Bacteremia in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• DOI: 10.1097/01.inf.0000190059.54356.f3
• Publication Date: 2005-12-21T09:02:30Z
• Authors: Akiko C. Kimura; Helene Calvet; Jeffrey I. Higa; Harriett Pitt; Clara Frank; Guadalupe Padilla; Matthew Arduino; Duc J. Vugia
• Keywords: Bacteremia

Background: Ralstonia pickettii is a Gram-negative bacillus commonly found in soil and moist environments; however, R. rarely isolated from clinical specimens. In August 2001, cluster of bacteremia occurred among neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants at California hospital. Methods: A case-control study was conducted to determine risk factors for infection. case NICU patient with bacteremia. Controls were negative blood cultures drawn during the same time period. detailed environmental investigation also conducted. Results: We identified 18 patients 19 distinct episodes July 30 through 30, 2001. All cases had intravascular access Although did not implicate any statistically significant factors, most likely source outbreak heparin flush prepared hospital pharmacy. This supported by following: (1) only substance introduced directly into bloodstream all infants; (2) used exclusively NICU; (3) no further after discontinued. Cultures remaining pickettii. Conclusions: unusual caused contaminated ended