Symptoms of B. cepacia infection

The effects of B. cepacia on people vary widely, ranging from no symptoms at all, to serious respiratory infections, especially in patients with CF.

How B. cepacia infection is spread

Transmission of B. cepacia from contaminated medicines and devices has been reported.

In 2005, CDC was notified by several states of clusters of pneumonia and other infections caused by B. cepacia and associated with contaminated mouthwash. For more information see the CDC Health Advisory (HAN).

In 2004, CDC was notified of a voluntary recall of over-the-counter nasal spray due to contamination with B. cepacia complex.
For more information see the MMWR article and also the CDC Health Update (HAN) for a complete list of recalled lot numbers.

Also in 2004, B. cepacia was attributed to nosocomial infections among ICU patients and associated with exposure to sublingual probes. For more information see the MMWR article.

For a comprehensive list of medicines and devices that have been associated with B. cepacia contamination before 2003, see p. 43 of CDC's Environmental Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities.

B. cepacia can also be spread to susceptible persons by

•·         person-to-person contact

•·         contact with contaminated surfaces

•·         exposure to B. cepacia in the environment.

Careful attention to infection control procedures like hand hygiene can help reduce the risk of transmission of this organism. For more information on hand hygiene and infection control practices see, Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings and Guideline for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals