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Serotyping in epidemiological tracing of nosocomially acquired Proteus mirabilis in a geriatric ward

Serotypisierung bei der epidemiologischen Aufspürung von Nosokomial-Infektionen durch Proteus mirabilis in einer geriatrischen Abteilung

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Summary

Samples taken from patients, staff, and hospital milieu at intervals of two weeks for 41 weeks were analysed for nosocomial spread ofProteus mirabilis. Eighty-eight per cent of 3,519 colonies were serotyped into 21 0 groups. By 0 grouping and H typing, nosocomial spread ofP. mirabilis could be demonstrated in several cases between patients in the same room. No spread between rooms was found. The acquisition ofP. mirabilis between patients probably occurred as the result of cross-infection due to inadequate nursing technique.

Zusammenfassung

Zwecks Analyse der nosokomialen Verbreitung vonProteus mirabilis wurde Probengut von Patienten, Krankenhauspersonal und Krankenhausmaterial für die Dauer von 41 Wochen in zweiwöchigen Abständen untersucht. Von 3519 Kolonien wurden 88% in 21 0-Gruppen serotypisiert. Durch 0-Gruppierung und H-Typisierung konnte in mehreren Fällen eine nosokomiale Verbreitung vonP. mirabilis unter Patienten im selben Zimmer nachgewiesen werden. Eine Verschleppung von Zimmer zu Zimmer wurde nicht festgestellt. Der Befall mitP. mirabilis unter Patienten trat vermutlich als Folge von Kreuzinfektion durch unzulängliche Pflegetechnik auf.

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Larsson, P., Andersson, H.E. & Norlén, B. Serotyping in epidemiological tracing of nosocomially acquired Proteus mirabilis in a geriatric ward. Infection 6, 105–110 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01642257

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