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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Enterobacter Cloacae?
Question: Hello,
A family member has breathing problems for a few months. After several investigations the sputum lab test showed an infection with enterobacter cloacae complex. Is this person contagious? What kind of prevention measures should we take to avoid passing the infection to other family members? We also have a family member who underwent a kidney transplant a few years ago and is on immunosupressants.
Thanks a lot,
XXXX
A family member has breathing problems for a few months. After several investigations the sputum lab test showed an infection with enterobacter cloacae complex. Is this person contagious? What kind of prevention measures should we take to avoid passing the infection to other family members? We also have a family member who underwent a kidney transplant a few years ago and is on immunosupressants.
Thanks a lot,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
requires very careful handwashing
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Enterobacter cloacae can sometimes be difficult to treat because of they can be resistant to antibiotics.
It is an opportunistic infection, this means it targets those with impaired immunity such as the young, older persons , immunocompromised persons such as the person on immunosuppressants.
In terms of transmission, the bacteria can be acquired through the skin, gastrointestinal tract or in some cases the urinary tract.
It is acquired via the skin from contact with surfaces with the bacteria.
It can also be acquired via the gastrointestinal tract from fecal oral route (if not enough hand washing and bacteria remains on hands, usually is the person has a GI infection.)
With pneumonia, the most likely route would be via the skin, if the bacteria is transferred from sputum to surfaces.
This can be prevented by very careful handwashing. This means careful repeated handwashing after coughing and disinfecting any surfaces that could come into contact with sputum.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
requires very careful handwashing
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Enterobacter cloacae can sometimes be difficult to treat because of they can be resistant to antibiotics.
It is an opportunistic infection, this means it targets those with impaired immunity such as the young, older persons , immunocompromised persons such as the person on immunosuppressants.
In terms of transmission, the bacteria can be acquired through the skin, gastrointestinal tract or in some cases the urinary tract.
It is acquired via the skin from contact with surfaces with the bacteria.
It can also be acquired via the gastrointestinal tract from fecal oral route (if not enough hand washing and bacteria remains on hands, usually is the person has a GI infection.)
With pneumonia, the most likely route would be via the skin, if the bacteria is transferred from sputum to surfaces.
This can be prevented by very careful handwashing. This means careful repeated handwashing after coughing and disinfecting any surfaces that could come into contact with sputum.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Gibson XXXXXXX
Thank you for your swift and comprehensive answer.
Another question related to prevention: is this bacteria destroyed by high temperaturate? I'm thinking of food cooked by the infected person which is served by other family members. Could this be contaminated if sputum accidentally got into it?
Do you think it is worth for the whole family to get tested or it is a rather extreme measure?
Thank you very much,
XXXX
Thank you for your swift and comprehensive answer.
Another question related to prevention: is this bacteria destroyed by high temperaturate? I'm thinking of food cooked by the infected person which is served by other family members. Could this be contaminated if sputum accidentally got into it?
Do you think it is worth for the whole family to get tested or it is a rather extreme measure?
Thank you very much,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
destroyed by high temperature
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry about the late reply
It is destroyed by high temperature but it would have to be very high. The optimal growth temperature for this bacteria is approx 30 c, for destruction the temperature would have to be about 121 c in moist heat or 160-170 in dry heat. This data is based on knowledge about other similar bacteria because at the moment it is not known about this particular one.
Based on this, it should be destroyed in any food prepared if the bacteria was present.
Normally wide spread testing is not done, it is normally indicated if symptoms are present.
Because it can potentially affect different systems (GI tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract), the doctor would need to determine if a particular system needs testing and which tests would be appropriate.
It is understandable to be concerned but transmission is reduced once there is very careful handwashing
Please feel free to ask any other questions
destroyed by high temperature
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry about the late reply
It is destroyed by high temperature but it would have to be very high. The optimal growth temperature for this bacteria is approx 30 c, for destruction the temperature would have to be about 121 c in moist heat or 160-170 in dry heat. This data is based on knowledge about other similar bacteria because at the moment it is not known about this particular one.
Based on this, it should be destroyed in any food prepared if the bacteria was present.
Normally wide spread testing is not done, it is normally indicated if symptoms are present.
Because it can potentially affect different systems (GI tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract), the doctor would need to determine if a particular system needs testing and which tests would be appropriate.
It is understandable to be concerned but transmission is reduced once there is very careful handwashing
Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much for your answer.
Best wishes,
XXXX
Best wishes,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
no problem
Detailed Answer:
Hi
You are welcome , feel free to contact with any other queries
no problem
Detailed Answer:
Hi
You are welcome , feel free to contact with any other queries
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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