Rapid control of two outbreaks of Serratia marcescens in a Northern Italian neonatal intensive care unit.
Serratia marcescens is a recognized cause of outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The aim of the present study was to investigate two nosocomial outbreaks of S. marcescens that occurred in an NICU in Northern Italy. In order to determine the origin of the outbreaks and the associated morbidity and mortality of S. marcescens infections and epidemiological investigation was established including molecular typing of the isolates. Containment of the outbreaks was achieved by means of strict hygienic measure and cohort nursing of the infected and/or colonized infants. We experimented with the use of probiotics as an infection control measure.
Perotti
G
G
Divisione de Patologia Neonatale e Terapia Intensiva, IRCCS S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy. gf.perotti@smatteo.pv.it
Bernardo
M E
ME
Spalla
M
M
Matti
C
C
Stronati
M
M
Pagani
L
L
D001724:Birth Weight; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000302:isolation & purification*