Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (CASP) - a Standardized Model for Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis
06:45

Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (CASP) - a Standardized Model for Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis

Published on: December 18, 2010

Outbreaks of Serratia marcescens infections in a cardiothoracic surgical intensive care unit

N M Richards, S Levitsky

    The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
    |May 1, 1975
    PubMed

    Insights

    A Serratia marcescens outbreak in a cardiothoracic ICU highlights rapid bacterial spread via respirators and fomites. This case underscores challenges in treating infections and patient susceptibility.

    Area of Science:

    • Infectious Diseases
    • Critical Care Medicine
    • Bacteriology

    Background:

    • Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen.
    • Nosocomial infections pose significant risks in intensive care units.
    • Cardiothoracic surgical patients are particularly vulnerable to infections.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To report an outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections.
    • To investigate the source and transmission routes of the outbreak.
    • To analyze the clinical manifestations and therapeutic challenges.

    Main Methods:

    • Case series reporting.
    • Review of clinical data and patient outcomes.
    • Epidemiological investigation of potential sources and transmission.

    Main Results:

    • Three patients in a cardiothoracic surgical intensive care unit were infected.
    • A respirator was implicated as the source for two patients.
    • Fomite transmission led to fatal endocarditis in a third patient.
    • The outbreak demonstrated rapid dissemination, varied virulence, and compromised host defenses.

    Conclusions:

    • Serratia marcescens can spread rapidly in critical care settings.
    • Multiple transmission routes, including respiratory and fomite, were involved.
    • Effective therapy for Serratia infections can be challenging.
    • Prosthetic heart valve infections are a severe complication.

    More Related Videos

    Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)12:18

    Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

    Published on: February 9, 2011

    Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression07:30

    Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression

    Published on: June 15, 2019

    Related Concept Videos

    Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

    Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

    Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
    HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
    Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

    Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

    Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
    The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
    Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

    Endocarditis I: Introduction

    Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
    Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:29

    Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

    Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
    Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

    Staphylococcal Skin Infections

    Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
    Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

    Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

    Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...