[Epidemic of Serratia marcescens in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit: multivariate analysis of risk factors in

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A Controlled Mouse Model for Neonatal Polymicrobial Sepsis
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A Controlled Mouse Model for Neonatal Polymicrobial Sepsis

Published on: January 27, 2019

Rafael Herruzo Cabrera

    Anales De La Real Academia Nacional De Medicina
    |January 29, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    A Serratia marcescens epidemic in a neonatal intensive care unit infected 26 infants over 14 months. Key risk factors included prolonged hospital stay, mechanical ventilation, and anemia.

    Area of Science:

    • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) epidemiology
    • Infectious disease microbiology
    • Healthcare-associated infections

    Background:

    • Investigated a Serratia marcescens epidemic in a tertiary hospital's NICU over 14 months.
    • Monitored both infections and colonizations by S. marcescens in neonates.
    • Identified 26 infants with S. marcescens infections, including bacteremia and bronchopneumonia.

    Discussion:

    • Utilized Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) to confirm all S. marcescens isolates were genetically identical.
    • Observed variations in antimicrobial resistance among the S. marcescens strains.
    • Conducted a case-control study to determine risk factors associated with S. marcescens infection.

    Key Insights:

    • No environmental reservoirs of S. marcescens were identified as the source of the outbreak.
    • Prolonged hospital stay (over 1 month) was a significant risk factor for infection.
    • Mechanical ventilation and anemia were also identified as key risk factors for S. marcescens infection in neonates.

    Outlook:

    • Highlights the importance of infection control measures in NICUs to prevent S. marcescens outbreaks.
    • Suggests further research into transmission dynamics and targeted interventions.
    • Emphasizes the need for vigilant surveillance of multidrug-resistant organisms in vulnerable infant populations.

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