An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infection among obstetric patients.

ABSTRACT

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.