Cluster of Carbapenemase-Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Among ICU Patients
cdc.govTreatment of carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CP-CRPA) infections is challenging because of antibiotic resistance. CP-CRPA infections are highly transmissible in health care settings because they can spread from person to person and from environmental sources.
CP-CRPA was detected in two patients who each spent approximately 1 month in the same intensive care unit (ICU) room, 4 months apart. Isolates from both patients contained a carbapenemase-producing gene. The same gene type was also detected in isolates from one of the ICU room sinks. Control measures included discontinuing room use pending sink drain biofilm disinfection.
Multifaceted interventions, including sink hygiene practices, engineering controls, and administrative controls, are critical to limiting multidrug-resistant organism spread in health care settings.