Invasive disease due to extended spectrum bata-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal unit: the possible role of cockroaches

We recently experienced an outbreak of nosocomial disease due to extended s pectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal unit i nfested with cockroaches. Organisms isolated from cockroaches were indistin guishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis from those colonizing infants or causing clinical disease using. Cockroach elimination together with sta ndard infection-control measures resulted in control of the outbreak. We su ggest cockroaches are possible vectors of pathogenic bacteria in the hospit al environment. (C) 2000 The Hospital Infection Society.