Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas putida outbreak associated with contaminated water outlets in an oncohaematology paediatric unit

SummaryThis paper describes an outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas putida that occurred in an oncohaematology paediatric unit between January and April 2005. Eight children had nosocomial infections due to P. aeruginosa (N = 5) or P. putida (N = 3), which were recovered from central venous catheter blood cultures (N = 4), the catheter exit site alone (N = 2), or the catheter exit site and the catheter tip (N = 2). Subsequent investigation showed that contaminated water outlets represented the possible source of spread. Studies of nursing and environmental cleaning practices revealed two modes of catheter contamination. A reduction in the size of the catheter dressing at the exit site gave less protective cover during showers, and a detergent-disinfectant diluted with tap water had contaminated perfusion bottles. Repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction indicated two discrete patterns for P. aeruginosa and one for P. putida. The water network was chlorinated, and disposable seven-day filters were fitted on all taps and showers. Due to the deleterious effects of chlorination on the water network and the cost of the weekly filter change, a water loop producing microbiologically controlled water was installed. In addition, the concentration of the detergent–disinfectant was increased and refillable sprayers were replaced with ready-to-use detergent–disinfectant solution for high-risk areas. Following these measures, no Pseudomonas spp. have since been isolated in clinical or environmental samples from the ward.