Abstract
The advice contained in this document should be read in conjunction with relevant federal, provincial, territorial and local legislation, regulations, and policies. Recommended measures should not be regarded as rigid standards, but principles and recommendations to inform the development of guidance. This advice is based on currently available scientific evidence and adopts a precautionary approach where the evidence is lacking or inconclusive. It was approved for publication on December 5, 2016. It is subject to review and change as new information becomes available. The main changes to this version include additions to: Case load reported to date, Sarcoidosis-like disease as an Indicator, Whole Genome Sequencing effort, links to Provincial and Territorial Lab Services and Health Canada reporting.
Highlights
This document outlines laboratory testing criteria and specimens to be collected for symptomatic persons with history of exposure to heater-cooler units during cardiothoracic heart surgery performed from November 1st, 2011 onward.A recent outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera has been detected globally in patients who have undergone cardiothoracic heart surgery while in the presence of contaminated heater-cooler units
Suggested citation: Antonation K (Federal Co-Chair), Patel S (Provincial Co-Chair), Trumble Waddell J, Guillaume Poliquin P, Alexander DC et al Interim laboratory testing guidelines for the detection of non-tuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) infections in post-operative patients exposed to heater-cooler units
Caveat: Some isolated reports involve patients without cardiothoracic surgery, but in a room with an active heater‐cooler unit on standby. While these patients are not routinely felt to be at risk, such patients could be considered for NTM testing if a compatible clinical syndrome was present
Summary
This document outlines laboratory testing criteria and specimens to be collected for symptomatic persons with history of exposure to heater-cooler units during cardiothoracic heart surgery performed from November 1st, 2011 onward.A recent outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera has been detected globally in patients who have undergone cardiothoracic heart surgery while in the presence of contaminated heater-cooler units. Suggested citation: Antonation K (Federal Co-Chair), Patel S (Provincial Co-Chair), Trumble Waddell J, Guillaume Poliquin P, Alexander DC et al Interim laboratory testing guidelines for the detection of non-tuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) infections in post-operative patients exposed to heater-cooler units. 9 Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network, Winnipeg, MB
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