Serratia marcescens

Serratia marcescens

• is a ubiquitous bacterium from order Enterobacterales displaying a high genetic plasticity that allows it to adapt and persist in multiple niches including soil, water, plants, and nosocomial environments (1)
  
• is an emerging pathogen worldwide, provoking infections and outbreaks in debilitated individuals, particularly newborns and patients in intensive care units
  • in the nosocomial setting S. marcescens infections this microorganism has been isolated from catheters, oxygenation devices, prefilled syringes, needles, parenteral solutions, milk-drawers, sinks, nails, and hands of health care workers (1)
    • has been also found in disinfectant solutions or double-distilled water, reflecting its enormous metabolic versatility and capability to adapt and survive in adverse environments
  • spectrum of infections caused by Serratia includes pulmonary, CNS, conjuctival, urinary tract, joint, skin, wound, catheter, prosthetic device-related infections, and septicaemia (2)
    • S. marcescens is easily recognizable in culture due to the production of a distinct red pigment, prodigiosin
    • the reddish mucoid expectoration in case of Serratia pulmonary infection can be mistaken for hemoptysis (2)
  • S. marcescens isolates recovered from clinical settings are frequently described as multidrug resistant (1)

Reference:

1. Tavares-Carreon F et al. Serratia marcescens antibiotic resistance mechanisms of an opportunistic pathogen: a literature review. PeerJ. 2023 Jan 5;11:e14399.
2. Ranjan M, Karade S, Sen S, Srinivas V. Pseudohemoptysis in an elderly due to Serratia marcescens pneumonitis. Med J Armed Forces India. 2018 Oct;74(4):383-385.