Pathogens
Serratia marcescens

Serratia marcescens

Precautions

See 'Additional Information'

General Information

Gram negative rod, of the Enterobacteriaceae family.

  • Environmental organism, can colonize humans.
  • Infection usually in nosocomial setting.
  • Causes nosocomial outbreaks

Nosocomial infections:

  • Pneumonia (HAP)
  • UTI
  • Wound infections
  • Prosthetic device and line infections

May require contact precautions if highly resistant.

Resistance may develop during therapy if treated with cephalosporins or beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors, even if susceptible in vitro. Piperacillin-tazobactam should only be considered for these pathogens in limited clinical scenarios if susceptibility confirmed; contact a medical-microbiologist for more information