Epidemiological and Molecular Investigation of the Heater-Cooler Unit (HCU)-Related Outbreak of Invasive Mycobacterium chimaera Infection Occurred in Italy.

To ensure patients' safety and adequate follow-up, clinicians and general practitioners were made aware of the results and public health measures, and recommendations were issued to prevent further cases in the healthcare settings. The Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery performed a national survey to assess the incidence of HCU-related MC prosthetic infections in cardiac surgery. No cases were reported after HCU replacement or structural modification and disinfection and possibly safe allocation outside surgical rooms.