Transfer of drug-resistance plasmids by conjugation from nosocomial strains of Serratia marcescens to Escherichia coli in biological fluids of human origin.

Six independent isolates of multi-resistant Serratia marcescens associated with nosocomial infections were examined for their ability to transfer drug-resistance plasmids by conjugation to Escherichia coli in biological fluids of human origin, such as normal and pathological urine, faeces, blood plasma and ascitic fluid. Luria broth was used as a control. Positive transfer was found in all media assayed. The different patterns of linked transferable resistance found in the transconjugants corresponded to the phenotypic expression of five plasmids. The frequencies of transfer varied with plasmid types and media employed. The culture media did not affect the phenotypic expression of the plasmids.