Nosocomial cluster of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae in an intensive care unit dedicated COVID-19

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2021 Oct 21;10(1):151. doi: 10.1186/s13756-021-01022-6.

Abstract

Concomitant prevention of SARS-CoV-2 and extensively drug-resistant bacteria transmission is a difficult challenge in intensive care units dedicated to COVID-19 patients. We report a nosocomial cluster of four patients carrying NDM-1 plasmid-encoded carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae. Two main factors may have contributed to cross-transmission: misuse of gloves and absence of change of personal protective equipment, in the context of COVID-19-associated shortage. This work highlights the importance of maintaining infection control measures to prevent CPE cross-transmission despite the difficult context and that this type of outbreak can potentially involve several species of Enterobacterales.

Keywords: COVID-19; Carbapenemase; Cross transmission; Enterobacter cloacae; Intensive care unit; Personal protective equipment.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • COVID-19
  • Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae / genetics
  • Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae / isolation & purification*
  • Coinfection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Enterobacter cloacae / genetics
  • Enterobacter cloacae / isolation & purification*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / microbiology
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / transmission
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • beta-Lactamases

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase