II. Definitions

  1. Serratia
    1. Genus in the Enterobacteriaceae family
    2. Grouped with ESP Gram Negative Bacteria (Enterobacter, Serratia, Providencia)
    3. Facultatively anaerobic, motile Gram-negative rods
    4. Serratia species are found in in the environment (soil, water and on plant surfaces)
    5. Serratia Marcescens is the most common human pathogen in the genus, and the focus of this page
    6. Several other species are similar to S. Marcescens and are consider part of S. Marcescens complex
      1. Serratia nematodiphila
      2. Serratia bockelmannii
      3. Serratia ureilytica
      4. Serratia nevei

III. Pathophysiology

  1. Serratia Marcescens is a facultatively anaerobic, motile, Gram-negative rod in the Enterobacteriaceae family
    1. Discovered in 1819 by Italian pharmacist, Bizio
    2. Grouped with ESP Gram Negative Bacteria (Enterobacter, Serratia, Providencia)
    3. Found in soil, water, and on plant surfaces
  2. Serratia Marcescens causes opportunistic infections
  3. Unique Characteristics
    1. Produces a distinct, bright red pigment
  4. Multi-drug Resistance
    1. Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
    2. ESBL-Producing Enterobacteriaceae

IV. Risk Factors

  1. Elderly with comorbidities
  2. Newborns (esp. NICU)
  3. Nosocomial Infections (esp. Intensive Care patients, colonizes ICU water sinks)

V. Associated Conditions

VI. Management: Antibiotics

  1. Precautions
    1. Serratia Marcescens demonstrates significant multi-drug Resistance
  2. Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection
    1. Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole
  3. Systemic infections
    1. Aminoglycoside AND
    2. Third Generation Cephalosporin (or Fourth Generation Cephalosporin)

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Related Studies

Ontology: Serratia (C0036765)

Definition (NCI) A genus of small motile peritrichous bacteria in the Enterobacteriacaea family consisting of Gram-negative rods.
Definition (NCI_CDISC) Any bacteria that is not assigned to the species level but can be assigned to the Serratia genus level.
Definition (MSH) A genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that occurs in the natural environment (soil, water, and plant surfaces) or as an opportunistic human pathogen.
Definition (CSP) genus of gram negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod shaped bacteria that occurs in the natural environment (soil, water, and plant surfaces) or as an opportunistic human pathogen.
Concepts Bacterium (T007)
MSH D012705
SnomedCT 42025004
Swedish Serratia
Czech Serratia
Spanish género Serratia, género Serratia (organismo), Serratia (organismo), Serratia
Finnish Serratia
English Genus Serratia (organism), Genus Serratia, Serratia (organism), Serratia, serratia, Serratia Bizio 1823, SERRATIA, Serratia, NOS
Polish Serratia
Norwegian Serratia
French Serratia
German Serratia
Italian Serratia
Russian SERRATIA
Dutch Serratia
Portuguese Serratia

Ontology: Serratia marcescens (C0036766)

Definition (NCI_CDISC) Any bacterial organism that can be assigned to the species Serratia marcescens.
Definition (NCI) A species of motile, Gram-negative enterobacteria in the phylum Proteobacteria, differentiated from other Gram-negative bacteria by its ability to perform casein hydrolysis.
Definition (MSH) A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria found in soil, water, food, and clinical specimens. It is a prominent opportunistic pathogen for hospitalized patients.
Definition (CSP) species of gram negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod shaped bacteria found in soil, water, food, and clinical specimens; it is a prominent opportunistic pathogen for hospitalized patients.
Concepts Bacterium (T007)
MSH D012706
SnomedCT 33522002
LNC LP102546-1
English Serratia marcescens, Serratia marcescens Bizio 1823, S. marcescens, serratia marcescens organism, marcescens serratia, serratia marcescens, Bacillus marcescens, S. MARCESCENS, SERRATIA MARCESCENS, Serratia marcescens (organism)
Swedish Serratia marcescens
Czech Serratia marcescens
Finnish Serratia marcescens
Russian CHUDESNAIA PALOCHKA, SERRATIA MARCESCENS, ЧУДЕСНАЯ ПАЛОЧКА
Polish Serratia marcescens, Pałeczki krwawe
Norwegian Serratia marcescens
Spanish Serratia marcescens (organismo), Serratia marcescens
French Serratia marcescens
German Serratia marcescens
Italian Serratia marcescens
Dutch Serratia marcescens
Portuguese Serratia marcescens