Perfusionist-transmitted bacterial mediastinitis in a heart transplant recipient
Journal
Texas Heart Institute Journal
Journal Volume
28
Journal Issue
1
Pages
60-62
Date Issued
2001
Author(s)
Abstract
We report the case of a 56-year-old man who developed bacterial mediastinitis with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after undergoing heart transplantation. He had a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and prior cardiac surgery. To find the source of nosocomial infection, we cultured nasal swab specimens from all hospital personnel involved in this operation. We used antibiotic sensitivity profiling and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to subtype the involved microorganism. The S. aureus isolates from the patient and the perfusionist were identical to each other and were different from the strains previously found in our hospital. It is almost certain that the S. aureus mediastinitis in this patient was transmitted from the perfusionist. We recommend obtaining cultures from hospital staff members when there is an outbreak of staphylococcal infection.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; antibiotic sensitivity; article; bacterium culture; bacterium isolate; case report; disease transmission; heart transplantation; hospital infection; hospital personnel; human; human tissue; male; mediastinitis; methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; nose smear; pulsed field gel electrophoresis; Bacteriological Techniques; Cross Infection; Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient; Heart Transplantation; Humans; Male; Mediastinitis; Methicillin Resistance; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Staphylococcal Infections; Surgical Wound Infection
Type
journal article