An outbreak of Serratia marcescens traced to a contaminated bronchoscope.
An outbreak of colonization and infection with Serratia marcescens in a surgical Intensive Care Unit is described. A case-control study pointed to a bronchoscope as the source of the epidemic strain, and cultures of washing effluent of the incriminated bronchoscope yielded S. marcescens. Discontinuation of the use of the instrument and the implementation of recommendations for future use of bronchoscopes ended the outbreak.
Vandenbroucke-Grauls
C M
CM
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Baars
A C
AC
Visser
M R
MR
Hulstaert
P F
PF
Verhoef
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000302:isolation & purification