A Cluster of Rhodococcus (Gordona) Bronchialis Sternal-Wound Infections after Coronary-Artery Bypass Surgery

Abstract

RHODOCOCCUS species are gram-positive bacillary aerobic actinomycetes found in soil, sewage, fresh water, and feces of horses, sheep, and cattle.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Only one report of Rhodococcus (Gordona) bronchialis infection in humans has been published; the organism was isolated from the sputum of patients with cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis or bronchiectasis.24 We describe a hospital outbreak of surgical-wound infections caused by a single genetically distinct strain of R. bronchialis that was traced to an operating-room nurse. Methods Definition and Ascertainment of Cases A case was defined as a sternal-wound infection that was culture-positive for R. bronchialis in a patient who had undergone open-heart . . .