Final answer:
The likely origin of Burkholderia cepacia infections in patients who received cryoprecipitate is associated with contamination of the cryoprecipitate or related medical equipment, emphasizing the need for strict infection control in healthcare settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The probable origin of the infections of Burkholderia cepacia in the three patients who received cryoprecipitate could be associated with the contamination of the cryoprecipitate or the equipment used to administer it. Burkholderia cepacia is not part of the normal microbiota; it is considered an opportunistic pathogen in healthcare settings. The portal of entry for this bacterium could be the intravascular route through the administration of contaminated cryoprecipitate. Similar instances of hospital-acquired infections have been documented when breaches in sterilization processes occur or when biofilms form on medical equipment that can be resistant to standard sterilization practices. These incidents underscore the importance of stringent infection control procedures and monitoring protocol adherence in healthcare facilities.