Serratia
| Serratia | |
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| Serratia marcescens, a typical species, on XLD agar.[1] | |
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Serratia
Bizio 1823
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S. entomophila |
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Serratia is a genus of Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family. The most common species in the genus, S. marcescens, is normally the only pathogen and usually causes nosocomial infections. However, rare strains of S. plymuthica, S. liquefaciens, S. rubidaea, and S. odoriferae have caused diseases through infection.[2] Members of this genus produce characteristic red pigment, prodigiosin, and can be distinguished from other members of the Enterobacteriaceae family by their unique production of three enzymes: DNase, lipase, and gelatinase.[3]
Infection of humans
In the hospital, Serratia species tend to colonize the respiratory and urinary tracts, rather than the gastrointestinal tract, in adults. Serratia infection is responsible for about 2% of nosocomial infections of the bloodstream, lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, surgical wounds, and skin and soft tissues in adult patients. Outbreaks of S. marcescens meningitis, wound infections, and arthritis have occurred in pediatric wards. [4]
Cases of Serratia arthritis have been reported in outpatients receiving intra-articular injections.
History
S. marcescens was once thought to be a nonpathogenic bacterium. Because of the red pigment it produces, it was widely used to trace bacterial transmission and to study settling and drifting of bacteria in air currents. In 1950, the US Navy conducted a secret experiment called "Operation Seaspray" to study wind currents that might carry biological weapons. It sprayed San Francisco with S. marcescens from a ship. Shortly thereafter, doctors in the area noted a drastic increase in pneumonia and urinary tract infections.[5][6]
References
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- ↑ Images courtesy of CDC (http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp) Accessed 7 July 2011.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ Health Canada. MSDS - Infectious Substances. Serratia. (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/msds138e-eng.php) Accessed 7 July 2011.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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