Detection of Paraburkholderia in Clinical Specimens Associated with Use of Nonsterile Ultrasound Gel for Percutaneous Procedures - United States, Canada, and Israel, May 2023⎯April 2025.

Abstract

Contaminated nonsterile ultrasound gels have been implicated in outbreaks of Burkholderia infections associated with improper infection control practices before or during percutaneous procedures. In August 2024, the Minnesota Department of Health Public Health Laboratory noticed an increase in Paraburkholderia fungorum or Paraburkholderia species identified from referred clinical isolates. All isolates were recovered from blood cultures, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) confirmed that the isolates were genetically related. Because P. fungorum is not an established human pathogen and has rarely been reported in clinical specimens, an investigation was initiated, which was later joined by collaborators in Canada and Israel after similar observations in those countries. Forty-two patients from the United States, Canada, and Israel with genetically linked P. fungorum isolated from clinical specimens collected during May 2023-April 2025 were identified. Positive cultures were associated with the use of nonsterile ultrasound gel. Based on medical record review, treating clinicians deemed the isolate a culture contaminant in most cases; one patient had a confirmed invasive P. fungorum infection. WGS confirmed the relatedness of isolates from all three countries, including isolates cultured from clinical specimens as well as from nonsterile ultrasound gel products. Review of local practices revealed use of nonsterile ultrasound gel during point-of-care percutaneous procedures, including drawing blood, placing intravenous catheters, and paracentesis. This investigation underscores the continued importance of sterile gel use during percutaneous procedures and highlights the value of collaboration and shared WGS data for the investigation of international outbreaks.