Outbreak investigation of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica at a tertiary care hospital

Aim and Objective of the Study: The aim and objective of this study were to do a prospective study on patients with Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infection at AIG Hospitals and to identify the possible source of E. meningoseptica in our hospital. Materials and Methods: Outbreak of infection with E. meningoseptica was identified in intensive care units (ICUs) in February 2021. A prospective study was taken up and environmental surveillance swab cultures were collected along with clinical data from case sheets using a pro forma to identify the possible risk factors associated with E. meningoseptica infection. Interventional strategies were planned by infection control team along with hospital administration. Results: A total of 10 E. meningoseptica bacteraemia and pneumonia cases were documented between March 2021 and May 2021. It was more common among patients with COVID-19, with prolonged ICU stay, and on multiple antibiotics and was associated with poor outcomes. Surveillance swab cultures collected from various sources showed growth of E. meningoseptica in the tap water of some ICUs. Conclusion: Considering that E. meningoseptica are usually resistant to multiple antibiotics and that inappropriate antimicrobial therapy is an independent risk factor for mortality, early diagnosis and adequate antibiotic treatment are vital for patients with E. meningoseptica infection.