Serratia marcescens

Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative pathogen associated with urinary tract infections and wound infections.

Urinary tract infections: Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic, gram-negative pathogen increasingly recognized in nosocomial UTIs, particularly in ICU patients or those with indwelling devices. It produces a red pigment (prodigiosin) and is capable of biofilm formation and resistance to multiple antibiotics, including β-lactams. Although less common, its role in outbreaks and persistent infections warrants its inclusion in diagnostic panels (Su et al. 2003, Tavares-Carreon et al. 2023).

Wound infections: Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative bacillus that causes opportunistic wound infections, particularly in healthcare environments. It is associated with contamination of medical equipment and antiseptics and has been responsible for outbreaks. S. marcescens is notable for its resistance mechanisms and ability to survive in harsh environments. Early detection in wound panels is important for preventing nosocomial spread (Drummond et al. 2023, Kim et al. 2020)

References:

Su LH, Ou JT, Leu HS, Chiang PC, Chiu YP, Chia JH, Kuo AJ, Chiu CH, Chu C, Wu TL, Sun CF, Riley TV, Chang BJ; Infection Control Group. Extended epidemic of nosocomial urinary tract infections caused by Serratia marcescens. J Clin Microbiol. 2003 Oct;41(10):4726-32. doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.10.4726-4732.2003. PMID: 14532211; PMCID: PMC254321.

Tavares-Carreon, F., De Anda-Mora, K., Rojas-Barrera, I. C., & Andrade, A. (2023). Serratia marcescens antibiotic resistance mechanisms of an opportunistic pathogen: a literature review. PeerJ, 11, e14399.

Drummond, S. E., Maliampurakal, A., Jamdar, S., Melly, L., & Holmes, S. (2023). Serratia marcescens causing recurrent superficial skin infections in an immunosuppressed patient. Skin health and disease, 3(6), e283.

Kim, E. J., Park, W. B., Yoon, J. K., Cho, W. S., Kim, S. J., Oh, Y. R., Jun, K. I., Kang, C. K., Choe, P. G., Kim, J. I., Choi, E. H., Oh, M. D., & Kim, N. J. (2020). Outbreak investigation of Serratia marcescens neurosurgical site infections associated with a contaminated shaving razors. Antimicrobial resistance and infection control, 9(1), 64.

Hejazi A, Falkiner FR. Serratia marcescens. J Med Microbiol. 1997 Nov;46(11):903-12. doi: 10.1099/00222615-46-11-903. PMID: 9368530.