[Colonization-outbreak of two clonally different strains of Serratia marcescens in a neonatal intensive care unit]

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Context:

• Describes an outbreak of two distinct Serratia marcescens strains within a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
• Identifies two primary transmission routes: contact during respiratory treatment and contaminated bathing lotion.

Purpose:

• To detail the epidemiological investigation and management of a Serratia marcescens outbreak in a NICU.
• To highlight effective strategies for controlling and terminating nosocomial bacterial outbreaks.

Summary:

• The outbreak involved three cases from contact transmission and eight from contaminated bathing lotion, with all cases resulting in colonization only, not infection.
• Effective outbreak termination relies on adequate staffing, stringent basic hygiene practices, and targeted environmental investigations.
• Sophisticated electronic records can aid epidemiological investigations by identifying parallels in outbreak cases.

Impact:

• Provides practical insights for healthcare facilities on preventing and managing Serratia marcescens colonization and potential infections in vulnerable neonatal populations.
• Emphasizes the critical role of environmental hygiene and robust infection control protocols in NICUs.
• Suggests leveraging advanced electronic health records for improved outbreak surveillance and response.