Investigation of an outbreak of Serratia marcescens in a neonatal unit via a case-control study and molecular typing.
BACKGROUND
In March 2004, infection or colonization with Serratia marcescens affected one third of all neonates in a newborn services unit (NBS).


METHODS
We performed a case-control study and automated ribotyping.


RESULTS
Forty-nine cases were compared with 64 controls. The overall mean length of stay (LOS) in the NBS was 67 days for cases and 36 days for controls, P = .005. Cases were of lower mean birth weight than controls (1566 g vs 1968 g, respectively, P = .02). Risk factors that trended toward significance for S marcescens acquisition included the following: premature rupture of membranes (odds ratio [OR], 2.7; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.0-7.1; P = .05), vaginal delivery at our hospital (OR, 2.1; 95% CI: 0.9-4.6; P = .06), intubation at delivery (OR, 2.3; 95% CI: 0.9-5.2; P = .05), mechanical ventilation (OR, 2.1; 95% CI: 0.9-4.4; P = .06), and theophylline treatment (OR, 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1-5.4; P = .02). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed vaginal delivery at our hospital (OR, 3.4; 95% CI: 1.4-8.2; P = .007) and LOS >30 days (OR, 4.4; 95% CI: 1.8-10.6; P = .001) as independent risk factors for S marcescens acquisition. Ribotyping of specimens revealed 5 restriction patterns.


CONCLUSIONS
Cases were of lower birth weight than controls, were born by vaginal delivery at our hospital, had longer LOS in NBS, and had greater requirements for respiratory support. Ribotyping of specimens revealed that this outbreak was not clonal.
Friedman
N Deborah
ND
Department of Infectious Diseases, Southern Health, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. friedman.deb@gmail.com
Kotsanas
Despina
D
Brett
Judith
J
Billah
Baki
B
Korman
Tony M
TM
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay; D021521:Ribotyping; D012307:Risk Factors; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*