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. 2022 Feb;28(2):323-330.
doi: 10.3201/eid2802.210945. Epub 2021 Dec 14.

Invasive Burkholderia cepacia Complex Infections among Persons Who Inject Drugs, Hong Kong, China, 2016-2019

Kristine Shik Luk, Yat-Ming Tsang, Alex Yat-Man Ho, Wing-Kin To, Ben Kwok-Ho Wong, Maureen Mo-Lin Wong, Yiu-Chung Wong

Invasive Burkholderia cepacia Complex Infections among Persons Who Inject Drugs, Hong Kong, China, 2016-2019

Kristine Shik Luk et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

During March 2016-January 2019, Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) infection developed in 13 persons who inject drugs (PWID) in Kowloon West Region, Hong Kong, China. Seven cases were infective spondylitis, 2 endocarditis, 2 septic arthritis, 1 intramuscular abscess and bacteremia, and 1 necrotizing fasciitis. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that the isolates from 9 patients were clonally related. This clone caused major illness, and 11 of the 13 patients required surgical treatment. Clinicians should be aware of this pathogen and the appropriate broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs to empirically prescribe for PWID with this life-threatening infection. Close collaboration among public health authorities, outreach social workers, and methadone clinics is essential for timely prevention and control of outbreaks in the PWID population.

Keywords: Burkholderia; Burkholderia cepacia complex; Hong Kong; bacteria; disease outbreak; drug users; persons who inject drugs; pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of Burkholderia cepacia complex causing invasive infection in 13 persons who inject drugs, Hong Kong, China, 2016–2019.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Number of PWID with newly detected BCC invasive infection, by clonal types per year, Hong Kong, China, 2016 through June 30, 2019. PWID, persons who inject drugs; BCC, Burkholderia cepacia complex.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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