An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections related to contaminated chlorhexidine.
An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections occurred in a university tertiary-care hospital. Alcohol-free chlorhexidine solutions were contaminated with S marcescens. The majority of patient and chlorhexidine strains had similar pulsed field-gel electrophoresis banding patterns. Chlorhexidine was recalled, and the rate of S marcescens isolation returned to baseline. Chlorhexidine without alcohol should not be used as an antiseptic.
Vigeant
P
P
Department of Microbiology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Loo
V G
VG
Bertrand
C
C
Dixon
C
C
Hollis
R
R
Pfaller
M A
MA
McLean
A P
AP
Briedis
D J
DJ
Perl
T M
TM
Robson
H G
HG
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011792:Quebec; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine