[Study on molecular epidemiology of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in intensive care units].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the epidemiological conditions of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) and their origins in intensive care units (ICU).

METHODS

(1) Antibiotic susceptibility data of S. maltophilia of respiratory wards and surgical ICU(SICU) from 1998 to 1999 were collected. (2) Clinic isolates of S. maltophilia of respiratory ICU(RICU) and SICU from June 1999 to February 2000 were collected, then their homology was analyzed by the method of ERIC-PCR.

RESULTS

(1) Antibiotic susceptibility data showed its antibiotic resistance phenomena were severe. (2) The results of ERIC-PCR showed that there was no significant relationship between the genotype and antibiotic type with S. maltophilia. (3) Multiple subsets were found in RICU. However, only two subsets (A,B) in SICU.

CONCLUSIONS

The antibiotic resistance of S. maltophilia was so severe that it was difficult to deal with; in the study on its molecular epidemiology, ERIC-PCR is helpful to homogenous analysis, and it is a simple, quick, efficient and dependent method.