Outbreak of infection by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase SHV-5-producing Serratia marcescens in a Mexican hospital.
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.
Espinosa de los Monteros
L E
LE
Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Silva-Sanchez
J
J
Jiménez
L V
LV
Rojas
T
T
Garza-Ramos
U
U
Valverde
V
V
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*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D001618:beta-Lactamases