A Possible Outbreak by Serratia marcescens: Genetic Relatedness between Clinical and Environmental Strains

Abstract

Serratia marcescens (SM) is a Gram-negative bacterium that is frequently found in the environment. Since 1913, when its pathogenicity was first demonstrated, the number of infections caused by SM has increased. There is ample evidence that SM causes nosocomial infections in immunocompromised or critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs), but also in newborns admitted to neonatal ICUs (NICUs). In this study, we evaluated the possible genetic correlation by PFGE between clinical and environmental SM strains from NICU and ICU and compared the genetic profile of clinical strains with strains isolated from patients admitted to other wards of the same hospital. We found distinct clonally related groups of SM strains circulating among different wards of a large university hospital. In particular, the clonal relationship between clinical and environmental strains in NICU and ICU 1 was highlighted. The identification of clonal relationships between clinical and environmental strains in the wards allowed identification of the epidemic and rapid implementation of adequate measures to stop the spread of SM.

Serratia marcescens Colonization in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Has Multiple Sources, with Sink Drains as a Major Reservoir

“…During clusters 1 and 2, patients' movements facilitated the transmission of S. marcescens through the NICU rooms and between different units of the same hospital. The circulation of S. marcescens in different areas of the same hospital and interhospital had been observed in another study (49,50).…”

No-Touch Automated Disinfection System Based on Hydrogen Peroxide and Ethyl Alcohol Aerosols for Use in Healthcare Environments

“…Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a worldwide public health problem [1] and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Even though standard decontamination procedures are insufficient, they still represent the main means of intervention to counter the circulation of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic microorganisms, and reduce infectious complications [11][12][13][14].…”