AI Article Synopsis
- The study describes a technique to monitor infections in a nursing home, focusing on bacterial isolates from residents.
- Identified clusters of similar bacteria were analyzed for genetic relationships using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), which costs about $75 per isolate.
- Results showed that about 50% of clusters were genetically related, aiding in infection control and potential review of safety measures for the nursing staff.
Article Abstract
Objectives: To describe a laboratory-based technique to track nursing home infections.
Design: Retrospective data analysis.
Setting: A 721-bed skilled care facility with 14 nursing units.
Participants: Residents in a nursing home, average age 76+/-10, 78% male.
Measurements: Bacterial isolates were listed for each nursing unit. Clusters of identical species and antibiotic susceptibility were identified followed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). If the genetic analysis yielded related strains, the director of nursing performed a clinical investigation. PFGE is available through reference laboratories at a cost of approximately 75 dollars/isolate.
Results: Twenty-four clinical clusters of phenotypically identical bacteria (species, antibiotic susceptibility) were identified. Fourteen included genetically related isolates.
Conclusion: Approximately half of the phenotypically identical clusters contained genetically related isolates. The identification of genetically related bacterial isolates on nursing units by PFGE provides staff with a specific circumstance to review secretion precautions. Genetic analysis may also demonstrate that apparent clusters are unrelated.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52371.x | DOI Listing |
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