Serious nosocomial infection caused by Morganella morganii and Proteus mirabilis in a cardiac surgery unit.

In July and August 1981, five patients in the cardiac surgery unit of the Bristol Royal Infirmary developed septicemia caused by Morganella morganii, Proteus mirabilis, or both of these species. Three of the patients had serious wound infections, and three of the patients died. Typing of the M. morganii isolates by O-serotyping and of the P. mirabilis isolates by O-serotyping, proticine production and sensitivity, and the Dienes reaction confirmed cross infection by both species. Although M. morganii has been regarded as a relatively unimportant human pathogen in the past, it may prove to be an important cause of nosocomial infection in the future.