BACKGROUND AND ABJECTIVEPantoea is an environmental gram-negative bacillus that rarely causes an opportunistic infection, especially bloodstream infections in NICU. Here we report bloodstream infections caused by Pantoea spp. in ۵ preterm neonates in the
NICU and this is the first documented outbreak from the northeast of Iran.MATERIALS AND METHODSOn July ۲۰۲۳-۲۶-۶, an outbreak was created in the
NICU of Ghaem Mashhad Hospital. After identifying the outbreak, sampling was done from all parts of the
NICU to identify the source of infection. after the investigation, the source of infection was introduced as the index case was born from an addicted mother at ۲۶ weeks. There was fecal contamination during delivery, which was not washed for several hours because the baby was premature. The baby was transferred to
NICU from birth and expired after ۴۸ hours. The blood culture of these neonate was done in BACTEC. Initial identification was done with routine biochemical tests, and for more accurate identification, we used the VITEC۲ device. The second baby was born at the same time as the first baby, and the next three babies were present when the first baby arrived in the NICU, and the infection was transmitted through the hands of nurses and contaminated equipment. Supportive measures led to quick and timely control of the outbreak.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONThree of the five neonate expired. Identification was done with routine biochemical methods and Vitek۲ device, and finally, the genus Pantoea spp. was reported. The blood cultures of all five babies were reported to be positive for Pantoea. The disease progressed quickly in baby. Therefore, quickly actions to control this outbreak were important. Infection control was done in a short period of time with quick diagnosis and effective measures by hospital staff.CONCLUSIONBased on the evidence of the microbiological investigation, the source of infection was probably the index case. Finally, the infection was controlled in a short time with the quickly actions of the hospital staff, including the isolation of infected infants, the quick washing of the
NICU along with all the tools and equipment with very strong disinfectant solutions.