[A severe epidemic of Streptococcus group G infection in hemodialysis: epidemiologic survey by molecular biology and preventive measures]

Abstract

An outbreak of group G streptococci infection affected 6 patients of an hemodialysis unit. Group G streptococci were isolated from patients and from numerous atmospheric specimens, different parts of two dialysis machines, and two blankets, but from only one nurse on the hospital staff. Typing of group G streptococci by an improved method of DNA fingerprinting showed that the isolates from one patient, the nurse and the two blankets differed from one another. The group G streptococci were probably transmitted to patients by dialysis machines with defective microporous filters. No further case of group G streptococci infection was reported three years later since microporous guard filters were systematically doubled.