Kiel University Hospital Five deaths due to germ infection

Dangerous germs in Kiel University Hospital: Five deaths

01/24/2015

In the University Hospital Kiel, a germ resistant to antibiotics has spread. Five seriously ill patients died after infection. It is still unclear whether the dangerous pathogen or pre-existing diseases were responsible for this. Several patients are currently being treated and some were closed.

Multidrug-resistant germs in Kiel university clinic
In the Kiel University Hospital, five patients have died after the spread of dangerous bacteria. All of them were already seriously ill. As the head of the University Hospital Schleswig -Holstein (UKSH) in Kiel, Prof. Jens Scholz, according to the news agency dpa told, it was an open question, whether each of the previous illnesses or even the multi-drug resistant germs caused or contributed to the death. The pathogen infected more than 19 patients according to the information. At present, 14 other patients have proven resistant to four major classes of antibiotic Acinetobacter baumannii. Scholz explained why the exact number of all infected people has not yet been mentioned: „We have not been able to recount given the shortness of time.“ He did not give any information on the age of the persons affected as well as their pre-existing illnesses.

Health Department was informed in December
Earlier, UKSH spokesman Oliver Grieve said that the patients who had died were between 25 and 80 years old. In a communication, initially only over twelve infected people had been informed. It was said that on 23 December the Kiel health authority had been informed of the increased occurrence of the germ. Scholz reported in a special session of the Social Committee of the Landtag that the Ministry had just been informed. Bärbel Christiansen, responsible hygiene doctor at the UKSH, assured that the usual reporting channels had been complied with. Both the hygiene measures had been carried out in accordance with regulations and enough personnel had been deployed.

Part of the clinic closed for the time being
The germs that have appeared in the clinic are among the so-called MRGN (multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens). They are not normally dangerous to humans, but in immunocompromised people they can cause pneumonia, wound infection and sepsis. When it comes to multidrug-resistant forms, the treatment is made considerably more difficult, since only a few remedies at all help against the infection. It was reported that the internal intensive care unit of the Kiel clinic for new admissions was closed until further notice. In addition, one of a total of three units of the surgical intensive care unit was isolated in order to maintain healthy care for those infected there. It was said that the wards remained closed until the patients were released. Furthermore, a comprehensive screening for further potentially infected people is sought. All premises and equipment should be thoroughly disinfected.

First patient did not show typical symptoms
The first patient, in which the germ was detected in December, was reportedly a 1940 born German tourist who came from Turkey. When he arrived at the UKSH on December 11, the man had no typical symptoms, which meant that no so-called screening - an investigation also on germs - took place. By January 3, a first phase of transmission of the pathogen in three patients had subsided, but then in another part of the building a second case had occurred. It was a patient who had been in a hospital in Mallorca. Two completely separate cases are conceivable, Christiansen said, but she considers this very unlikely. She stressed that the situation was under control.

Patient advocates express strong criticism
The German Foundation for Patient Protection sees it a bit differently and voiced massive criticism. „Kiel University Hospital seems overwhelmed in the management of multidrug-resistant germs and infected patients“, assumed board Eugen Brysch. „How can a patient be admitted without being screened? Why was the agency informed of the infection only two weeks later??“ According to the Foundation, about 40,000 people die every year from hospital infections. „Of these, 20,000 could be avoided by hygiene measures“, so Brysch.

Direct and indirect transmission possible
In this country, Acinetobacter baumannii plays a comparatively minor role. However, it is one of the most important hospital germs in many other countries, especially in intensive care units. Therefore outbreaks in Germany often go back to patients who were previously treated abroad. Transmission may be via direct physical contact or indirectly via objects or the air. In a dry environment, the pathogens can survive for a long time.

Long-distance travelers often bring unnoticed dangerous bacteria
How problematic it is when travelers introduce multidrug-resistant bacteria has recently been stressed by German researchers. For example, a study by microbiologists at Leipzig University Hospital shows that one-third of all long-distance travelers in risky areas bring dangerous bacteria against which hardly any antibiotics work home unnoticed. According to the scientists, simple hygiene measures such as thorough hand washing and the use of packaged drinks during travel do not provide adequate protection. Dr. Christoph Lübbert, Head of the Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine at the University Hospital Leipzig, explained that a „systematic admission screening“ Patients who have been admitted to a clinic in certain countries during the past half-year would have a preventive effect. (Ad)

Picture: Urs Mücke