Serratia marcescens infections and outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units.

Serratia marcescens is an important cause of hospital-acquired infections, especially in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). This review analyzes clinical signs, risk factors, biotyping and sources of infection in newborns exhibited by this bacteria as well as the therapy which is commonly used and management. This review examines the reported cases of outbreaks of S. marcescens in NICUs published in pubmed over the last 10 years (key words: Serratia marcescens infections, outbreaks, Neonatal intensive Care Units). This report highlights the different prevention and control strategies employed in order to eradicate Serratia outbreaks in NICUs, including all healthcare procedures such as hand washing, introduction of alcohol-based antiseptic gel, enhanced cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment and wards, use of single-patient medical instruments, cohorting of colonized and infected infants, periodic screening cultures, earliest discharge of the infants.