Detection of Serratia marcescens in neonatal intensive care units requires a rapid and comprehensive infection control response starting with the very first case

Böhne, Carolin; Chhatwal, Patrick; Peter, Corinna; Ebadi, Ella; Hansen, Gesine; Schlüter, Dirk; Bange, Franz-Christoph; Bohnhorst, Bettina; Baier, Claas

doi:10.3205/dgkh000383

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen increasingly associated with infections and outbreaks in neonatal and paediatric healthcare units [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Healthcare facilities use disinfectant products daily for infection control, wound care, and to prevent the development of antimicrobial resistance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Little information exists on the effect of disinfectants on the growth of Serratia species. As a nosocomial pathogen increasingly associated with outbreaks in healthcare facilities [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ], the impact of sub-lethal levels of disinfectants on the growth of this pathogen is crucial to direct hygiene and safety standards in the future.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Hormetic Effect Observed for Benzalkonium Chloride and Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride in Serratia sp. HRI

et al. 2023

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Hormesis, or the hormetic effect, is a dose- or concentration-dependent response characterised by growth stimulation at low concentrations and inhibition at high concentrations. The impact of sub-lethal levels of disinfectants on the growth of Serratia species is critical to understanding the increasing number of outbreaks caused by this pathogen in healthcare settings. Serratia sp. HRI and Serratia marcescens ATCC 13880 were cultivated in sub-lethal levels of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), and VirukillTM. The maximum specific growth rates, doubling times, and cell counts were compared. The results revealed significant increases in maximum specific growth rates and shorter doubling times for Serratia sp. HRI when cultivated in sub-lethal levels of BAC and DDAC. The significant stimulatory effect of sub-lethal levels of these disinfectants for Serratia sp. HRI represents the first time hormesis has been observed in a Gram-negative bacterium for any disinfectant. Furthermore, this study is the first to observe the hormetic effect after treatment with DDAC and the second study to date analysing the impact of sub-lethal levels of disinfectants on the growth of bacterial species.

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