Brote por Serratia marcescens en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales: Guayaquil-Ecuador / Serratia marcescens outbreak in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Guayaquil, Ecuador

We report a Serratia marcescens outbreak occurred in the NICU of a pediatric hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Nine cases of infection were detected, from which septicemia was developed in 55.5%. The index case was a newborn derived from another institution with septic arthritis caused by the outbreak strain. The infection rate was 17.6% and mortality rate was 33.3%. All isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides and susceptible to third generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. Clonality analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed the presence of two closely related clones confirming the horizontal spread. Measures were taken by the committee such as: strengthening the hand hygiene, patient hygiene and cohort studies of gastrointestinal colonization, which allowed the control of the outbreak.

Comunicamos un brote nosocomial por Serratia marcescens en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos en un hospital pediátrico de Guayaquil, Ecuador. Se detectaron nueve casos de infección, manifestándose en 55,5% de los casos como sepsis. El caso índice correspondió a un neonato derivado de otra institución con artritis séptica. La tasa de ataque fue 17,6% (n: 51) y la mortalidad 33,3%. Todos los aislados presentaron resistencia a las cefalosporinas y aminoglucósidos y sensibilidad a carbapenémicos. El análisis de clonalidad reveló la presencia de dos clones estrechamente relacionados, confirmando la diseminación horizontal. Las medidas de control de brote fueron: reforzamiento de higiene de manos, cohorte de los pacientes y búsqueda de colonización gastrointestinal.

Caracterización clínica y epidemiológica de brote a Serratia marcescens en una Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo Pediátrico Hospital Nacional de Itaugua. Paraguay. Abril a setiembre 2015 / Clinical and epidemiological characterization of an outbreak of Serratia marcescens in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit National Hospital of Itaugua. Paraguay. April to September 2015

Introducción: Serratia marcescens, bacilo Gram negativo, familia enterobacteriaceae; se encuentra en la flora intestinal del hombre y animales, en el medio ambiente y en reservorios como agua, cañerías, llaves, en insumos hospitalarios como jabones y antisépticos. Objetivos: determinar la presencia de un brote, localizaciones, comorbilidades presentes; serotipo del agente causal, cortar la cadena de transmisión. Metodología: estudio descriptivo de un brote epidémico por S. marcescens en el periodo comprendido entre 27 de Abril del 2015 a 19 de Junio del 2015. Se definió como caso a cualquier paciente con cultivo positivo para S. marcescens durante el período epidémico, ya que no se había identificado ningún cultivo positivo para esta bacteria con dicha resistencia en los años previos de vigilancia. Hipótesis: Transmisión por contacto, mano portada. Resultados durante el período epidémico se identificaron 5 pacientes con cultivos positivos para S. marcescens. Las comorbilidades fueron, choque séptico de origen enteral 1/5, cardiopatía/ bronquiolitis 1/5, pos operado de hemorragia ventricular 1/5, oclusión intestinal/ sepsis neonatal tardia1/5. Con procedimientos invasivos tales como, asistencia respiratoria mecánica, catéter venoso central, catéter urinario 5/5, cirugía 2/5, catéter de derivación externa 1/5, antibiótico de amplio espectro con 2 o más asociaciones 4/5, promedio de 43 DDI. Localizaciones: S. Traqueal 3/5, PC 2/5, liq. Peritoneal, HMC 1/5. Tasa de ataque 9.4%(5/53), letalidad 60%(3/5) Intervenciones: precauciones de contacto, cohorte, higiene hospitalaria. Conclusiones: brote a Serratia marcescens, productora de carbapenemasa, detectada mediante vigilancia activa en UCIP, más frecuentemente aislado en S. traqueal y PC. Se controló con medidas de prevención y control.

Introduction: Serratia marcescens, Gram negative bacillus, family enterobacteriaceae; Is found in the intestinal flora of man and animals, in the environment and in reservoirs such as water, pipes, keys, in hospital supplies such as soaps and antiseptics. Objectives: to determine the presence of an outbreak, localizations, present comorbidities; Serotype of the causative agent, cut the transmission chain. Methodology: a descriptive study of an outbreak of S. marcescens in the period from April 27, 2015 to June 19, 2015. Any patient with positive culture for S. marcescens during the epidemic period was defined as the case, since No positive culture for this bacterium had been identified with such resistance in previous years of surveillance. Hypothesis: Transmission by contact, hand cover. Results: 5 patients with S. marcescens positive cultures were identified during the epidemic period. Comorbidities were septic shock of enteral origin 1/5, heart disease / bronchiolitis 1/5, postoperative of ventricular hemorrhage 1/5, intestinal occlusion / late neonatal sepsis1 / 5. With invasive procedures such as mechanical ventilation, central venous catheter, urinary catheter 5/5, surgery 2/5, external lead catheter 1/5, broad spectrum antibiotic with 2 or more associations 4/5, average of 43 DDI . Locations: S. Traqueal 3/5, PC 2/5, liq. Peritoneal, HMC 1/5. Attack rate 9.4% (5/53), lethality 60% (3/5) Interventions: contact precautions, cohort, hospital hygiene. Conclusions: outbreak of Serratia marcescens, a producer of carbapenemase, detected by active surveillance in PICU, most frequently isolated in S. tracheal and PC. It was controlled with prevention and control measures.

Brote de infección nosocomial por Serratia marcescens asociado a contaminación intrínseca de clorhexidina acuosa / Outbreak due to Serratia marcescens associated with intrinsic contamination of aqueous chlorhexidine

Serratia marcescens is a widely distributed gram-negative rod, often associated to nosocomial infections. Some outbreaks linked to contaminated antiseptic solutions have been reported. In this study we report a nosocomial outbreak of surgical site infection and catheter insertion site infection due to S. marcescens. 33 patients with positive cultures were studied after an index case was identified. Epidemiological, microbiological and molecular analysis demostrated an intrinsic contamination of alcohol free chlorhexidine solution as causal factor. Positive cultures were associated with 13 clinical infections, 9 colonized patients, 6 pseudobacteremia episodes and 5 patients without documented exposure. Hospital and national recall of contaminated chlorhexidine solution was performed after this study. Intrinsic contamination of antiseptic solutions is an infrequent cause of nosocomial infections with major epidemiological relevance.

Serratia marcescens es un bacilo gramnegativo de amplia distribución, frecuentemente asociado a infecciones nosocomiales. Se han descrito brotes asociados a la contaminación de diversas soluciones antisépticas. Describimos a continuación un brote de infección de sitio operatorio (ISO) y de infección de sitio de inserción de catéter vascular (ISC) por S. marcescens. A raíz de un caso índice se estudió un total de 33 pacientes con cultivo positivo para S. marcescens. El análisis epidemiológico, microbiológico y molecular logró demostrar la contaminación intrínseca de un lote de clorhexidina acuosa, como fuente común de exposición. Las muestras positivas correspondieron a 13 infecciones clínicas, nueve colonizaciones, seis pseudo-bacteriemias y cinco pacientes sin exposición demostrada. Los resultados de este estudio determinaron el retiro del producto de la institución y posteriormente a nivel nacional. La contaminación intrínseca de antisépticos es una causa poco frecuente de brotes de infecciones nosocomiales cuya identificación posee un gran impacto epidemiológico.

Determinantes do envelhecimento ativo segundo a qualidade de vida e gênero / Determinants of active aging according to quality of life and gender

Resumo Os objetivos deste estudo foram construir um indicador de envelhecimento ativo e testar sua associação com qualidade de vida e possíveis determinantes segundo gênero. O estudo AGEQOL (Aging, Gender and Quality of Life) entrevistou 2052 indivíduos com 60 anos e mais de idade residentes em Sete Lagoas, MG, Brasil. A associação entre envelhecimento ativo, qualidade de vida e possíveis determinantes foi realizada por meio da regressão logística múltipla, com nível de 5% de significância estatística, separadamente para cada gênero. A maioria dos homens pertenceu ao grupo com envelhecimento ativo (58,0%), enquanto 51,8% das mulheres foram alocadas no grupo com envelhecimento normal (p < 0,001). A qualidade de vida nos domínios Físico, Psicológico e Escore total mantiveram-se associada ao desfecho no modelo final para ambos os gêneros. Entre os homens, os fatores comportamentais e participação comunitária foram preditores positivos para envelhecimento ativo. Mulheres com maior renda, que não sofreram quedas e com participação comunitária tiveram maior chance de pertencer ao grupo com envelhecimento ativo. Conclui-se que qualidade de vida e a participação em grupos são os principais determinantes de envelhecimento ativo, e que os demais fatores determinantes associados são diferentes para cada gênero.

Abstract The scope of this study was to construct an indicator of active aging and assess its association with quality of life and possible determinants according to gender. The AGEQOL (Aging, Gender and Quality of Life) study was used to interview 2052 individuals aged 60 years and older residing in Sete Lagoas in the State of Minas Gerais. The association between active aging, quality of life and possible determinants was performed by multiple logistic regression with a 5% level of statistical significance separately for each gender. Most men were in the active aging group (58%), and 51.8% of women were in the normal aging group (p < 0.001). The quality of life in the Physical, Psychological, and total Score domains remained associated with the outcome in the final model for both genders. Among the men, the behavioral and community participation factors were positive predictors of active aging. Women with higher incomes, who did not suffer falls and engaged in community participation, had a better chance of belonging to the active aging group. The conclusion drawn is that quality of life and participation in groups are the main determinants of active aging, and the other factors associated with active aging are different for each gender.

Outbreak of neonatal infection by an endemic clone of Serratia marcescens / Surto de infecção neonatal a partir de clone endêmico de Serratia marcescens

INTRODUCTION: The outbreak occurred between February and June 2006 and included identification of the cases, analysis of medical records, cultures from environmental sources, resistance analyses and genotyping profile of Serratia marcescens. METHODS: The cultures were composed of 13 blood isolates, 17 rectal and hand swabs and air sampling. RESULTS: The data obtained by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis exhibited three strains that contaminated 24 patients. Systemic infection was the most common in neonates with lower weight, long periods of hospitalization, premature delivery and the use of mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation revealed the multifactorial nature of the outbreak. An endemic clone of S. marcescens was detected.

INTRODUÇÃO: O surto ocorreu entre fevereiro a junho de 2006 e incluiu identificação de casos, análise dos prontuários, culturas ambientais, análise de resistência e genotipagem dos isolados de Serratia marcescens. MÉTODOS: Os cultivos foram compostos de 13 isolados de sangue e 17 swabs de reto e mãos e amostras do ar. RESULTADOS: Os dados obtidos por eletroforese de campo pulsado evidenciaram três cepas que contaminaram 24 pacientes. Infecção sistêmica foi mais comum em neonatos com menor peso, longo tempo de internação, nascimento prematuro e uso de respiração mecânica. CONCLUSÕES: Foi evidenciada a natureza multifatorial do surto. Foi encontrado um clone endêmico de S. marcescens.

An outbreak of Serratia marcescens septicemia in neonates.

Serratia marcescens is a well recognized nosocomial pathogen. We report an outbreak with this organism in 8 neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Seven cases were treated successfully with meropenem after the failure of imipenem treatment. Although they have similar anti-microbial effects, meropenem can effectively treat the S. marcescens sepsis resistant to imipenem.

Three-Year Follow-up of an Outbreak of Serratia marcescens Bacteriuria in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit

We report on the investigations and interventions conducted to contain an extended outbreak of Serratia marcescens bacteriuria that lasted for years in a neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU). A case-control study was performed to identify the risk factors for S. marcescens acquisition in urine. In case patients, urine sampling for tests and central venous catheterization were performed more frequently before the isolation of S. marcescens. Case patients were more frequently prescribed third-generation cephalosporins. Adherence to hand antisepsis was encouraged through in-service educational meetings and infection control measures, especially concerning the manipulation of indwelling urinary catheters, were intensified. The outbreak persisted despite the reinforcement of infection control measures. However, no patient has newly acquired the organism in the NSICU since December 2004. Multiple factors, including inadequate infection control practices and inappropriate antimicrobial usage, possibly contributed to the persistence of this S. marcescens outbreak. Healthcare workers should consistently follow infection control policies to ensure quality care.

Three-Year Follow-up of an Outbreak of Serratia marcescens Bacteriuria in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit

We report on the investigations and interventions conducted to contain an extended outbreak of Serratia marcescens bacteriuria that lasted for years in a neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU). A case-control study was performed to identify the risk factors for S. marcescens acquisition in urine. In case patients, urine sampling for tests and central venous catheterization were performed more frequently before the isolation of S. marcescens. Case patients were more frequently prescribed third-generation cephalosporins. Adherence to hand antisepsis was encouraged through in-service educational meetings and infection control measures, especially concerning the manipulation of indwelling urinary catheters, were intensified. The outbreak persisted despite the reinforcement of infection control measures. However, no patient has newly acquired the organism in the NSICU since December 2004. Multiple factors, including inadequate infection control practices and inappropriate antimicrobial usage, possibly contributed to the persistence of this S. marcescens outbreak. Healthcare workers should consistently follow infection control policies to ensure quality care.

Endemic Serratia marcescens in a neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To study the endemicity of Serratia marcescens in a neonatal intensive care unit (N.I.C.U). MATERIAL AND METHOD: During the first 4 months of 2001, neonates in the N.I.C.U. in a teaching hospital were screened for S. marcescens by serial throat swabs and collections of other appropriate clinical specimens. Environmental cultures were also done in the same period. Isolated S. marcescens were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and for genotyping by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: During the period, 104 neonates were studied. S. marcescens were isolated in 34.6% of the cases. Environmental cultures were positive for S. marcescens in 1.4%. There were 10 patterns of antibiogram of the 190 strains isolated. All strains belonged to pulsotype A. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed that S. marcescens was endemic in the N.I.C.U. and belonged to one genotype.

Serratia marcescens: Descripción de un brote de infección intrahospitalaria / Serrtia marcesceens: description of a nosocomial outbreake

We describe a nosocomial outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections in different departaments, which occurred between May and December 2001. It involved 85 patients, 72 with clinical infections and 13 in which the strains isolated were found as colonization. The most common site was urinary tract infection. Thirty six percent of the infections were severe (including pneumonia and bacteremia), occurring in patients older than 65 years, with predisposing conditions, previous antibiotic usage, prolonged hospitalisation and invasive procedures. Global lethality was 2,8%. All the cases had genetically the same strain, so a common source of infection was thought. The environmental and water microbiological studies yielded no growth of Serratia, except for the water faucet in the Neurology ward, where the index case was detected, and probably where the epidemic originated.

Se describe un brote de infección intrahospitalaria por Serratia marcescens ocurrido entre mayo y diciembre del 2001 en el Hospital Del Salvador, comprometiendo a varios servicios clínicos. Este brote involucró 85 pacientes con 72 infecciones y 13 colonizaciones. La localización más frecuente de las infecciones fue la urinaria. El 36% de las infecciones fue grave (neumonías y bacteremias), afectando a pacientes sobre 65 años de edad, con patologías predisponentes como: hospitalización prolongada, procedimientos invasores, cirugía y uso de antimicrobianos previos. La letalidad global fue de 2,8%. Todos los casos correspondieron genéticamente a la misma cepa por lo que se planteó una probable fuente común de infección. El estudio microbiológico de las muestras ambientales y de las aguas no detectó S. marcescens, a excepción de un grifo del lavamanos del Servicio de Neurología donde se detectó el caso índice, por lo cual se puede deducir que probablemente éste fue el origen del brote epidémico.

Estudio de casos y controles en un brote de S. marcescens en una unidad neonatal de cuidados intensivos / A case control study of an outbreak of S. Marcescens in a neonatal intensive care unit

Objetivo. Analizar un brote epidémico de Serratia marcescens en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales (UCIN) e identificar los factores de riesgo asociados al brote. Material y métodos. Estudio de 24 casos y 39 controles durante un brote de marzo a julio de 1995. Se registró: edad, sexo, dispositivos intravasculares, nebulizadores, asistencia a la ventilación, uso de nutrición perenteral total (NPT), enfermedades subyacentes, intervenciones quirúrgicas, sondas, tratamiento antimicrobiano previo y días de exposición. Se calculó razón de momios e intervalo de confianza del 95 por ciento (RM, IC 95 por ciento) y se efectuó análisis multivariado. Resultados. Los factores de riesgo en el análisis univariado (RM, IC 95 por ciento) fueron uso de catéter venoso central (4.57, 1.01-23.5), días de uso de NPT (4.38, 1.03-16.5), días de tratamiento antimicrobiano previo (4.87, 1.60-22.4) y días de exposición (2.7, 2-65-27.6). En el análisis multivariado los factores fueron: tratamiento antimicrobiano previo (3.98, 2.36-18.2), días de tratamiento antimicrobiano (6.76, 3.02-24.6) y días de uso de NPT (4.87, 1.67-15.6). Conclusiones. Los factores de riesgo en nuestro estudio fueron el tratamiento previo con antimicrobianos y su duración, así como los días de uso de NPT

Isolation of serratia liquefaciens from breeding farms, and its prevalence in human being

Serratia liquefaciens, a member of the Klebsiellae, is an uncommon pathogen, It's related member, S. marcescens acquired an attention due to its prevalence among hospitalised patients. S. liquefaciens is now recognised to be one of the most important causes of animal septicaemia. It may cause epidemics in chickens, workers dealing with infected chickens were found to be highly colonised by this organism, of 138 workers investigated 25 [18.12%] were found to harbour the organism: out of them 58 workers developed clinical disease and the organism was isolated from 16 patients [27.59%], the infection is an occupational hazard when compared to other patients not exposed to chicken. The difference is significant in exposed workers. In birds it was isolated from 84 samples from dead birds [76.36%], and from 41 samples from sick birds [45.56%]. Also isolated from outer Egg-shell from infected farms, out of 60 samples examined 15 samples were positive [25%]. The water supply were examined daily for 10 days, and the organism was isolated from 8 samples out of 30 samples examined [26.6%]The great danger in infection by this organism is its high resistance to many antibiotics, which may emerge from repeated unwise use of antibiotics as a prophylactic measure for chicken breeding. Ampicillin, gentamycin and tobramycin were ineffective, Amikacin and Nalidexic acid were poorly effective, but the organism was strongly sensitive to imipenem, ciprofloxacin and lincospectine

An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infection among obstetric patients.

An outbreak of S. marcescens infection occurred among 17 obstetric patients during May-June 1990. Simultaneously 11 newborns were also affected. All the 28 strains were identical in their biochemical characteristics, serotype and phage type as well as antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. The source of infection was traced to a contaminated batch of cream, consisting of 0.5 per cent savlon in carboxy methyl cellulose base, used while doing pelvic examination. The affected patients were treated with appropriate antibiotics and there was no mortality. No further infection was reported after the removal of the contaminated cream.