Serratia cross-infection in an intensive therapy unit

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Hospital Epidemiology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Cross-infection outbreaks pose significant risks in healthcare settings.
• Intensive therapy areas are particularly vulnerable to the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms.
• Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate an outbreak of Serratia marcescens infection in an intensive therapy unit.
• To identify the source and transmission route of the outbreak.
• To describe the control measures implemented to terminate the outbreak.

Main Methods:

• Epidemiological investigation of patient cases and healthcare personnel.
• Microbiological analysis to identify and characterize the causative agent, Serratia marcescens.
• Assessment of infection control practices and environmental factors.

Main Results:

• An outbreak involving 11 patients occurred over 10 weeks, confined to intensive therapy areas.
• A multi-drug resistant strain of non-pigmented Serratia marcescens was identified as the causative agent.
• The outbreak was traced to a nursing sister with a paronychial lesion, indicating prolonged carriage and transmission.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare-associated infections require rigorous investigation and control.
• Prompt identification and management of carriers are crucial in preventing outbreaks.
• Effective infection control measures are essential to contain the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in hospitals.