Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
08:46

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis

Published on: August 12, 2020

7.0K

Application of next-generation sequencing to investigate a Serratia marcescens outbreak in a neonatal intensive care

Michela Bulfoni1,2,3, Nicolò Gualandi4, Beatrice Krpan5

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy. michela.bulfoni@uniud.it.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
|February 26, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) identified close genetic links between Serratia marcescens strains in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), revealing potential transmission routes and informing infection control.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

  • Nosocomial infections in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) pose significant risks to vulnerable infants.
  • Serratia marcescens is a key opportunistic pathogen contributing to NICU-related morbidity and mortality.
  • Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) offers advanced capabilities for microbial surveillance and outbreak investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a mapping-based bioinformatics pipeline for strain typing and phylogenetic analysis of Serratia marcescens.
  • To investigate the genomic relatedness of S. marcescens isolates from patients and the environment within a NICU setting.
  • To assess the utility of NGS in understanding microbial transmission dynamics and informing infection control strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 18 Serratia marcescens isolates from patients and environmental swabs collected in a NICU.
  • Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) using Illumina MiSeq platform.
  • Development and application of a custom, validated bioinformatics pipeline for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)-based phylogenetic analysis.

Main Results:

  • Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) elucidated phylogenetic relationships among the S. marcescens strains.
  • Six isolates exhibited high genetic relatedness, indicating a potential clonal cluster.
  • Identical genotypes were found in strains from patient samples (blood, rectal swabs) and environmental sources, suggesting transmission pathways.

Conclusions:

  • NGS provides high-resolution insights into the molecular epidemiology of NICU infections and colonizations.
  • Genomic data supports real-time, evidence-based adjustments to infection control protocols.
  • This approach enhances patient safety and aids in the prevention of healthcare-associated outbreaks.
Keywords:
Health surveillanceNeonatal intensive care unit (NICU)Next generation sequencing (NGS)Nosocomial infectionPhylogenetic treeSerratia marcescensWhole genome sequencing (WGS)

More Related Videos

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS06:34

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS

Published on: July 11, 2016

20.9K
Next-generation Sequencing of 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Amplicons10:24

Next-generation Sequencing of 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Amplicons

Published on: August 29, 2014

84.8K

Related Concept Videos

Modern Molecular Taxonomy01:29

Modern Molecular Taxonomy

Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
775
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy01:20

Applications of Molecular Taxonomy

Molecular taxonomy has revolutionized the understanding and classification of bacteria, providing precise insights into their diversity, evolutionary relationships, and ecological roles. By utilizing molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing and fingerprinting, researchers have made significant strides in various fields related to bacterial studies.Resolving Taxonomic AmbiguitiesMolecular taxonomy has been instrumental in distinguishing closely related bacterial species initially thought to...
632