2465. Healthcare-Associated Pediatric Cutaneous Mucormycosis at Texas Children’s Hospital, 2012–2019

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous mucormycosis in children is a rare fungal infection which primarily occurs in patients with underlying medical conditions and is associated with significant morbidity. We describe characteristics of pediatric patients with healthcare-associated (HCA) cutaneous mucormycosis at Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) and results of an outbreak investigation. METHODS: Patients at TCH were identified retrospectively through review of the TCH Microbiology Laboratory mycology culture reports from 1/1/2012–2/18/2019. Pediatric patients <21 years of age with cutaneous mucormycosis that developed during a hospitalization or was associated with a medical device were included. Demographic information was collected through review of the electronic medical record. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis were performed by the Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. This study was approved through the Baylor College of Medicine Institutional Review Board. RESULTS: We identified 12 patients with HCA cutaneous mucormycosis. The characteristics of these patients are detailed in the table. Six cases of Rhizopus infection occurred over a narrow 7 month period from March through September of 2017 prompting an outbreak investigation. Genotyping results revealed 4 molecular types from 5 available isolates suggesting that the isolates were not clonally related. Adhesive products were suspected as a potential source. Infection Control activities included site visits to the hospital supply warehouse and linen facility. Tape practices throughout the hospital were assessed through a nursing survey. Samples of adhesive products were cultured at an environmental microbiology laboratory and no Rhizopus spp. were isolated. A source was not identified. CONCLUSION: Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection in children. Providers should have a low threshold of suspicion for cutaneous mucormycosis in patients with underlying medical conditions (malignancies and extreme prematurity) that develop skin lesions near medical device dressings or securement sites. [Image: see text] [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.