title: Outbreak of infection by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase SHV-5-producing Serratia marcescens in a Mexican hospital.
abstract: Previous outbreaks caused by Serratia marcescens have been associated with contaminated medical equipment, intravenous fluids and inadequate hygiene. We carried out the molecular characterization of an outbreak produced by a cephalosporin-resistant S. marscescens that occurred in a Mexican hospital in August 1999. The lethality of this outbreak was 26%. Positive isolates were collected from 20 patients, one medical staff and three chlorhexidine disinfectant solutions. Results of PFGE, beta-lactamase patterns, sequencing of PCR amplifications, plasmid profiles, and mating experiments showed that the outbreak occurred by the dissemination of a S. marcescens SHV-5 producing strain. The adequate enforcement of procedures under the supervision of an infection control resulted in the abrupt end of the outbreak.
authors.affiliation: Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Espinosa de los Monteros
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Silva-Sanchez
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Garza-Ramos
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valverde
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology*; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D001618:beta-Lactamases