An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections in a neonatal unit

Over a 15-month period 732 babies were admitted to a neonatal unit, and Serratia marcescens was isolated from 153 (21%). In one-fifth (34) a clinical infection (9 major and 25 minor) developed. Major infection was associated with high mortality and morbidity and 2 cases presented after the neonatal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Lancet (British edition) Vol. 1; no. 8369; p. 151
Main Authors Smith, P J, Brookfield, D S, Shaw, D A, Gray, J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 21.01.1984
Subjects
Cross Infection - epidemiology
Disease Outbreaks - epidemiology
England
Enterobacteriaceae Infections - epidemiology
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Male
Nurseries, Hospital
Serratia marcescens - isolation & purification
England
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Summary:Over a 15-month period 732 babies were admitted to a neonatal unit, and Serratia marcescens was isolated from 153 (21%). In one-fifth (34) a clinical infection (9 major and 25 minor) developed. Major infection was associated with high mortality and morbidity and 2 cases presented after the neonatal period. No environmental reservoir was found. Colonised symptom-free neonates were considered to be the source, with transmission by staff-baby contact despite adequate hand-washing. Overcrowding was believed to be responsible for the difficulties experienced in eradicating this transmission.
ISSN:0140-6736