Investigating transmission patterns among preterm neonates during an outbreak of necrotizing enterocolitis related to Clostridium butyricum using whole-genome sequencing.

This outbreak of C. butyricum-related necrotizing enterocolitis confirms a cross-transmission between preterm neonates, including twin or triplet siblings, and involving necrotizing enterocolitis cases together with asymptomatic carriers. After three months of follow-up, no further cases were identified following the implementation of contact precautions with sporicidal agents.