Suction apparatus and hospital infection due to multiply-resistant Klebsiella aerogenes

Following an outbreak of cross-infection with multiply-resistant Klebsiella aerogenes epidemiological studies demonstrated the association of the use of suction apparatus with the distribution of positive cases. Eighty per cent of 66 cases had been exposed to this equipment. Environmental and clinical isolates were compared with strains of klebsiella recovered from suction apparatus. Colonial morphology, klebecin sensitivity and production, antibiotic resistance pattern and determination of plasmid molecular weight and incompatibility were used to discriminate between strains. A disinfection policy has been introduced to cope with the use of suction apparatus.