P207: A cluster of panton- and valentin- producing Staphylococcus aureus infection at a departmental hospital in Benin: possible association with consumption of contaminated food

Abstract

Introduction: A three-month period in 2005, two distinct types of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (one producing of Panton- Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and the other not) were isolated from bronchial specimens of paediatric inpatient unit at the Zou/Collines Departmental Hospital (CHDZ/C), who had been previously cared for by the nurses. The source of outbreak was probably a faulty contamination of specific food consumed by patients. Objectives: we aim to determine the source of particular S. aureus strains and possible relationships with hospital environment. Methods: An investigation was conducted that involved screening of all inpatients receiving a specific food, hospital environment sampling and the follow-up of cases until the end of hospital stay. Isolates were identified, tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and analysed for PVL, LukE/LukD, and enterotoxin A production. Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to establish the clonality of the strains. Results: A total of 36 infected inpatients with S. aureus were identified. Twenty-eight cases of pneumonia were discovered and PVL-producing S. aureus concerned 61%. By PFGE an indistinguishable PVL-producing S. aureus was identified in the food served, 28 patients, the keyboard and faucet handles in their respective room. Enhanced hygiene measures, particular hand hygiene, terminated the outbreak. Conclusion: Our finding suggest an associated between environmental contamination and patient infection, not limited to the patients' rooms. Transmission of PVL-producing S. aureus can be prevented in the hospital by a combination of decontamination of the environment, and the promotion of hand hygiene.