Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-14T04:26:16.606Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Nosocomial Meningococcemia in a Physician

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Jean-François Gehanno*
Affiliation:
Institute of Occupational Health, Charles Nicolle University Hospital, Rouen, France
Laure Kohen-Couderc
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Charles Nicolle University Hospital, Rouen, France
Jean-François Lemeland
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Microbiology, Charles Nicolle University Hospital, Rouen, France
Jacques Leroy
Affiliation:
Intensive-Care Unit, Charles Nicolle University Hospital, Rouen, France
*
Institute of Occupational Health, Hospital Charles Nicolle, 1 rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen Cedex, France

Abstract

We report the case of a pediatrician who developed meningococcal meningitis after performing endotracheal intubation without protection on a child who was suspected of having meningoencephalitis. This case emphasizes the necessity for healthcare workers who perform high-risk procedures to use personal protection devices (ie, respirators and protective goggles). Unprotected healthcare workers with high exposure to Neisseria meningitidis should receive chemoprophylaxis.

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Control and prevention of meningococcal disease. MMWR 1997;46(RR-5):121.Google Scholar
2.Guibourdenche, M, Darchis, JP, Boisivon, A, Collate, E, Riou, JY. Enzyme electrophoresis, sero- and subtyping, and outer membrane protein characterization of two Neisseria meningitidis strains involved in laboratory-acquired infections. J Clin Microbiol 1994;32:701704.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Paradis, JF, Grimard, D. Laboratory-acquired invasive meningococcus—Quebec. Can Commun Dis Rep 1994;20:1214.Google ScholarPubMed
4.Feldman, HA. Some recollections of the meningococcal diseases. The first Harry F. Dowling Lecture. JAMA 1972;220:11071112.Google Scholar
5.Centers for Disease Control. Nosocomial meningococcemia—Wisconsin. MMWR 1978;27:358363.Google Scholar
6.Gaunt, PN, Lambert, BE. Single dose ciprofloxacin for the eradication of pharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis. J Antimicrob Chemother 1988;21:489496.Google Scholar
7.Schwartz, B, Al-Tobaiqi, A, Al-Ruwais, A, Fontaine, RE, A'Ashi, J, Hightower, AW, et al. Comparative efficacy of ceftriaxone and rifampicin in eradicating pharyngeal carriage of group A Neisseria meningitidis. Lancet 1988;1:12391242.Google Scholar
8.Garner, JS. Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. Guideline for isolation precautions in hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1996;17:5380.Google Scholar
9.Bolyard, EA, Tablan, OC, Williams, WW, Pearson, ML, Shapiro, CN, Deitchman, SD, et al. Guideline for infection control in healthcare personnel, 1998. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1998;19:407463.Google Scholar