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Streptococcal Meningitis Following Myelogram Procedures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Jennifer Hsu
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Bette Jensen
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Matthew Arduino
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Toni Bergeron
Affiliation:
West Jefferson Hospital, Marrero, Louisiana
Teresa Fox
Affiliation:
Gadsden Medical Center, Gadsden, Alabama
Greg Gum
Affiliation:
Crestwood Hospital, Huntsville, Alabama
Vera Pischke
Affiliation:
St. Luke's Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
David Potts
Affiliation:
Anderson Medical Center, Anderson, South Carolina
John Townes
Affiliation:
Oregon University, Portland, Oregon
Arjun Srinivasan*
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
*
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. MS A35, Atlanta, GA 30333 (asrinivasan@cdc.gov)

Abstract

In September of 2004, we investigated 7 cases of post-myelography meningitis. Streptococcal species were recovered from blood or cerebrospinal fluid in all cases. Our findings suggest that droplet transmission of the oral flora of the clinician performing the procedure was the most likely source of these infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of face masks by those performing myelograms.

Type
Concise Communication
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2007

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