OUTBREAK OF MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE SEPSIS IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Klebsiella pneumoniae has played an important role as a cause of infection in the neonatal high risk units around the globe. The widespread use of broad-spectrum antibacterial agents has led to an increase in the emergence of resistance to broad-spectrum cephalosporins and carbapenems. We report an outbreak caused by a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae that was susceptible only to ciprofloxacin and tigecycline and that affected neonates hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit of Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi during October 2010. Outbreak investigation was carried to find out the possible source of infection which turned out to be suction tubing of resuscitation table, emergency tray and scissors. The outbreak was resolved by temporarily closing down the nursery and using remedial measures such as disinfection, reinforcing the use of antiseptic techniques and timely treatment of neonates with ciprofloxacin.