Mycobacterium fortuitum Infection following Reconstructive Breast Surgery: Differentiation from Classically Described Red Breast Syndrome.

Background: Red breast syndrome (RBS) has been described as an erythema that may be associated with 2-stage prosthetic reconstructive breast surgery using biologic mesh. RBS is differentiated from infectious cellulitis through absence of fever and laboratory abnormalities and usually has a self-limiting course. There have been no clinical reports on etiology, risk factors, or management of RBS.

Gordonia bronchialis sternal wound infection in 3 patients following open heart surgery: intraoperative transmission from a healthcare worker.

We describe an investigation of 3 postoperative Gordonia bronchialis sternal infections. A nurse anesthetist was identified as the source of the outbreak, her scrubs likely becoming contaminated by her home washing machine. The outbreak ended after disposal of the implicated washing machine.

Over-treatment of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Objectives: To describe the treatment and outcomes of patients with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and evaluate whether these cases represented active infection requiring antibiotic therapy or colonization.

Methods: Adult inpatients with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae were retrospectively evaluated. Cases were classified as colonization versus infection by 2 infectious diseases physicians.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis: an emerging pathogen.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical relevance and impact of an emerging bacterial pathogen, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, in a large teaching hospital.

Methods: Three-year retrospective microbiological and clinical review of all S. lugdunensis isolates from a single medical center.