Nosocomial Klebsiella Infections: Intestinal Colonization as a Reservoir
- RICHARD SELDEN, M.D.;
- SHARON LEE, B.A.;
- WEN LAN LOU WANG, PH.D.;
- JOHN V. BENNETT, M.D.; and
- THEODORE C. EICKHOFF, M.D.
Excerpt
A prospective study of patients admitted to a hospital where there was endemic nosocomial infection with multidrug-resistant klebsiella was undertaken to evaluate the role of intestinal colonization of patients. Among 31 patients who became intestinal carriers of klebsiella during hospitalization, 14 subsequently became infected by the same serotype. Of 101 patients who did not become intestinal carriers of klebsiella, only 11 were infected by that organism. Antibiotic therapy was shown to be predisposing to intestinal colonization with klebsiella and to exert a selective pressure in favor of multidrug-resistant klebsiella. Gastrointestinal acquisition and carriage of klebsiella by patients may be an
This 100-word excerpt has been provided in the absence of an abstract.
Acknowledgments
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The authors are grateful to Gordon Reid, M.D., and John Breckenridge, M.D., for assistance in collection of some of the epidemiologic data; to Jonathan Adler, M.D., and Roger Anderson, M.S., for assistance in carrying out the environmental survey; and to William Martin, M.S., Kay Wachsmuth, B.A., and Carol Jacobs, B.A., for technical assistance.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Bacterial Diseases Branch, Center for Disease Control, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Atlanta, Ga.; and the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Colorado Medical Center; and the Veterans Administration Hospital; Denver, Colo.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to John V. Bennett, M.D., Chief, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga. 30333
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- Received September 25, 1970.
- Accepted January 15, 1971.
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