A nosocomial outbreak of Serratia marcescens producing inducible Amp C-type beta-lactamase enzyme and carrying antimicrobial resistance genes within a class 1 integron

J Hosp Infect. 2004 Jan;56(1):29-36. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2003.07.004.

Abstract

We investigated an outbreak of Serratia marcescens in the adult intensive care unit of the University Hospital of Napoli. The outbreak involved 13 cases of infection by S. marcescens over a nine-month period and was caused by a single pulsed-field gel electrophoresis clone. The epidemic strain was multiply antibiotic resistant, producing an inducible Amp C-type beta-lactamase enzyme and carrying the trimethoprim-resistance gene and the adenyltransferase gene, which confers resistance to streptomycin and spectinomycin, within a class 1 integron. Antimicrobial therapy with beta-lactams was associated with S. marcescens acquisition in the intensive care unit.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacterial Proteins*
  • Clone Cells
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / genetics
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Female
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Integrons / genetics
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Serratia Infections / epidemiology*
  • Serratia Infections / genetics
  • Serratia Infections / microbiology
  • Serratia marcescens / enzymology
  • Serratia marcescens / genetics*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • AmpC beta-lactamases
  • beta-Lactamases