Nosocomial cluster of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae in an intensive care unit dedicated COVID-19

Miltgen, Guillaume; Garrigos, Thomas; Cholley, Pascal; Deleume, Marine; Allou, Nicolas; Allyn, Jérôme; Wilkinson, David A.; Lugagne, Nathalie; Belmonte, Olivier; Bertrand, Xavier; Hocquet, Didier; Mavingui, Patrick

Concomitant prevention of SARS-CoV-2 and extensively drug-resistant bacteria transmission is a difficult challenge in intensive care units dedicated to COVID-19 patients. We report a nosocomial cluster of four patients carrying NDM-1 plasmid-encoded carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae. Two main factors may have contributed to cross-transmission: misuse of gloves and absence of change of personal protective equipment, in the context of COVID-19-associated shortage. This work highlights the importance of maintaining infection control measures to prevent CPE cross-transmission despite the difficult context and that this type of outbreak can potentially involve several species of Enterobacterales. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13756-021-01022-6.