Horizontal transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the surgical ward: A rare source of nosocomial wound infection

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae is rarely isolated from nosocomial infections. We report an outbreak of 4 nosocomial-acquired surgical site infections due to S pneumoniae after retropubic simple prostatectomy. The likely source was detected in the rhinopharynx of the surgeon. After the implementation of recommendations, no new cases have been recorded.