Patient Lab Specimens Contaminated By Mycobacterium From Tap Water

A hospital's investigation into patient laboratory specimens contaminated with Mycobacterium porcinum identified tap water as the source.

The hospital laboratory identified clusters of isolates that tested positive for the nontuberculous mycobacterium from January 2017 into April 2018, according to Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which is published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A total of 20 isolates was obtained from 16 patients. M. porcinum is associated with infections of the respiratory tract, bloodstream, surgical sites and soft tissue.

The investigation was conducted by the hospital's infection prevention team and the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. Investigators eventually traced M. porcinum to two ice machines and one water dispenser. Inspection revealed debris on internal parts and dispenser spouts.

New machines and parts were installed in June 2018, and the hospital revised its cleaning protocols. Staff members no longer use tap water when collecting respiratory cultures. CDC stated no further M. porcinum patient isolates have been identified.

As the report concludes, "Tap water is not sterile, can lead to false-positive culture results and should be avoided when collecting biologic specimens intended for culture. Hospital water management programs should engage clinical partners to ensure safe water use as part of patient care and address maintenance of ice machines and water dispensers within their facilities."

FDA Hopes New App Will Help With Treatment of Infectious Diseases

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a new app that will allow healthcare professionals to share new uses of FDA-approved drugs to treat difficult-to-treat infectious diseases.

FDA is hoping that by allowing members of the clinical community to share their experiences via the CURE ID app, this crowdsourcing platform will help guide new interventions and facilitate development of new drugs for neglected diseases.

The CURE ID app, described by the FDA as an "internet-based repository," is designed to capture clinical outcomes when medications are used for new indications, in new populations, in new doses or in new combinations. Caregivers complete a simple case report form about their experience using an approved product for an unapproved use.

The app also allows healthcare professionals to browse cases that have already been documented, including successful and unsuccessful treatments, and view relevant clinical trials and those open to enrollment at clinicaltrials.gov. Users can also participate in a treatment discussion forum with fellow providers globally.

In a news release, Dr. Amy Abernethy, FDA principal deputy commissioner, said, "Our hope is that this app will serve as a connector among major treatment centers, academics, private practitioners, government facilities and other healthcare professionals from around the world and ultimately get treatments to patients faster.”

CURE ID is a collaboration between the FDA and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.

To download and use the CURE ID application, click here or download "CURE ID" from the App or Play Store.

Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Patients at Multiple PA Healthcare Facilities

An outbreak of Salmonella Javiana has sickened more than 30 patients at four healthcare facilities in southeast Pennsylvania, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report.

Evidence points to a mix of fruit as the source of the outbreak. This mix — called "Fruit Luau" — has been recalled by its producer, Tailor Cut Produce of New Jersey.

As the FDA notes, the recalled products — which were distributed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Delaware between Nov. 15 and Dec. 1, 2019 — may have been distributed to nursing homes, schools, hospitals and other facilities that cater to vulnerable populations.

Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

The FDA is still investigating the outbreak in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The FDA has not yet identified the four healthcare facilities confirmed as involved.