Multiresistant Enterobacter cloacae outbreak in an intensive care unit associated with therapeutic beds

Abstract

We report a multiresistant Enterobacter cloacae outbreak in an intensive care unit, associated with mattresses and with antibacterial-treated and vapour-permeable polyurethane synthetic mattress covers of therapeutic beds.

Figure 1

Using pulse field gel electrophoresis, an Enterobacter cloacae clonal type was found with four environmental isolates (lanes 1–4) and six clinical isolates (lanes 5–7, 9, 11 and 18).

Figure 2

Photographs of a 6-month-old therapeutic bed. (a) Stained mattress foam where the patient was situated. (b) Stained mattress foam where the seams of the cover were situated.