The Identification of Genetically Related Bacterial Isolates Using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis on Nursing Home Units: A Clinical Experience

Objectives: To describe a laboratory‐based technique to track nursing home infections. Design: Retrospective data analysis. Setting: A 721‐bed skilled care facility with 14 nursing units. Participants: Residents in a nursing home, average age 76±10, 78% male. Measurements: Bacterial isolates were li...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) 2004-08, Vol.52 (8), p.1373-1377
Main Authors: Drinka, Paul J., Stemper, Mary E., Gauerke, Cathy D., Miller, Janice M., Reed, Kurt D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Bacteria
Bacteria - genetics
Bacteria - isolation & purification
Bacterial diseases
Bacterial diseases of the respiratory system
Bacterial infection
Bacterial Infections - microbiology
bacterial transmission
Biological and medical sciences
Control
Cross Infection - microbiology
Drug Resistance
Drug Resistance, Bacterial
Elderly people
Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field - economics
Female
Genetics
Human bacterial diseases
Humans
Identification
infection control
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
nursing home
Nursing Homes
Retrospective Studies
USA
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Summary:Objectives: To describe a laboratory‐based technique to track nursing home infections. Design: Retrospective data analysis. Setting: A 721‐bed skilled care facility with 14 nursing units. Participants: Residents in a nursing home, average age 76±10, 78% male. Measurements: Bacterial isolates were listed for each nursing unit. Clusters of identical species and antibiotic susceptibility were identified followed by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). If the genetic analysis yielded related strains, the director of nursing performed a clinical investigation. PFGE is available through reference laboratories at a cost of approximately $75/isolate. Results: Twenty‐four clinical clusters of phenotypically identical bacteria (species, antibiotic susceptibility) were identified. Fourteen included genetically related isolates. Conclusion: Approximately half of the phenotypically identical clusters contained genetically related isolates. The identification of genetically related bacterial isolates on nursing units by PFGE provides staff with a specific circumstance to review secretion precautions. Genetic analysis may also demonstrate that apparent clusters are unrelated.
ISSN:0002-8614
1532-5415
DOI:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52371.x