An outbreak of burkholderia cepacia bacteraemia in a tertiary care centre, dhaka due to contaminated nebulizer solution

Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is an opportunistic bacteria causing infection in immunocompromised patients and well distributed in the hospital environment. Nosocomial outbreaks of BCC are due to contaminated solutions and medical devices. However, in Bangladesh there have been no nosocomial outbreaks of BCC reported in the past. We report here an outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia bacteraemia in a Tertiary Care Centre, Dhaka, due to contaminated nebulizer solution during the period of 7th January 2020 to 5th February 2020. That was an extensive investigation traced to a contaminated nebulizer solution of a particular brand of ipratropium bromide. The blood culture isolates from the patients with bacteraemia and from the particular nebulizer solution were found to be identical and confirmed as BCC. Our observation was reported officially to the relevant authorities of the hospital and an alternative agent for the use of nebulization was strongly recommended to prevent further cases immediately.