Abstract
Abstract
Background:
We report an outbreak of surgical site infections due to genetically related strains of Streptococcus pyogenes in a cardiovascular surgery department.
Methods:
The practices that were possibly related to the outbreak were investigated through direct observation and interviews with staff by an infection control team. Surveillance sampling from patients, health-care workers, and environment were done for the investigation of the source. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to investigate a clonal relationship among the S. pyogenes isolates.
Results:
Four patients operated on in the cardiovascular surgery department developed surgical site infection due to S. pyogenes. Molecular characterization of S. pyogenes done by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed the same strain.
Conclusions:
Although a definite source for the outbreak could not be identified, probably lack of adherence to hand hygiene practices during surgical dressings, contamination, and cross contamination led to this outbreak.
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