Background: Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is frequently found in hospital environments and usually associated with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), particularly in patients in the intensive care units (ICU). The current study report an outbreak of E. meningoseptica infection/colonization in the pediatric intensive care unit, highlighted the infection control methods used to stem the spread. Methods: During a period of 7 months, May - November 2015, 4 patients were infected/ colonized by E. meningoseptica. Infection control measures were re-emphasized after each case and environmental swabs were cultured to detect possible source. Results: Four patients were colonized/ infected with E. meningoseptica, their mean age 22 months. The average time patients spent in ICU between admission and isolation of E. meningoseptica was 27.5 + 19.2 days. All patients were mechanically ventilated. 25% E. meningoseptica isolated from blood causing healthcare associated Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI) while it was isolated from endotracheal tube (ETT) secretion in 75 % as healthcare associated colonization. The 4 isolates confirmed as identical using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Conclusion: Intensive infection control measures including healthcare workers education, emphasizing hand hygiene, comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of equipment and environmental surfaces are recommended to prevent spread of the bacterium.
Research Department	
              
          Research Journal	
              The International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. 
  
 
          Research Member	
          
      Research Publisher	
              NULL
          Research Rank	
              1
          Research Vol	
              Vol. 5 - Issue 8
          Research Website	
              NULL
          Research Year	
              2018
          Research_Pages	
              pp 3212-3219
          Research Abstract	
              
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