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PubMed1991

[New inactivating enzyme of aminoglycoside antibiotics produced by genes on R-plasmid of Serratia spp. and nosocomial infection].

Though incident due to Serratia spp. has decreased with the use of third generation cephems, S. marcescens with multiple drug resistance are still clinically occasionally isolated S. marcescens strains 218, 219 and 220 we isolated clinically, were found to possess aminoglycoside inactivating enzyme activities which had not been expected to exist in Serratia spp. These isolates inactivated aminoglycoside antibiotics except strains 218 and 219 were sensitive to isepamicin whereas strain 220 was sensitive to isepamicin and gentamicin. It was found that strains 218 and 219 possessed aminoglycoside inactivating enzyme AAC(2'), and strain 220 AAC (6'). The genes coding for these inactivating enzymes were found to be on R-plasmid and transferred between bacterial cells. Frequencies of transfer of the R-plasmid from Serratia to Escherichia coli chi-1037 were be low, but the transfer definitely occurred as frequencies of 4.3 x 10(-7) from strain 218, 5.2 x 10(-7) from strain 219, and 8.3 x 10(-7) from 220 were determined. To prevent nosocomial infections, the eradication of multi-resistant Serratia strains is strongly recommended when they are isolated even apparent symptoms of infections are not observed.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1990

Expression of Serratia marcescens extracellular proteins requires recA.

A previously described regulatory mutation which abolishes expression of the extracellular nuclease of Serratia marcescens is shown to be a mutation of the Serratia recA gene. The defect in nuclease expression could be restored by introducing a plasmid carrying the recA gene of Escherichia coli. The DNA sequence of the Serratia gene is very similar to that of the E. coli gene. The putative LexA-binding site of the Serratia recA gene is almost identical to that of E. coli, along with the promoter. A similar LexA-binding site can also be found upstream of the nuclease gene. As expected from this finding, we show that nuclease expression can be induced by SOS-inducing agents such as mitomycin C. Although inducible in S. marcescens, the nuclease was expressed only at the uninduced levels in E. coli and could not be induced by mitomycin C. The extracellular chitinase and lipase were similarly affected by the mutations altering nuclease expression and were also induced by mitomycin C.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Iron transport systems of Serratia marcescens.

Serratia marcescens W225 expresses an unconventional iron(III) transport system. Uptake of Fe3+ occurs in the absence of an iron(III)-solubilizing siderophore, of an outer membrane receptor protein, and of the TonB and ExbBD proteins involved in outer membrane transport. The three SfuABC proteins found to catalyze iron(III) transport exhibit the typical features of periplasmic binding-protein-dependent systems for transport across the cytoplasmic membrane. In support of these conclusions, the periplasmic SfuA protein bound iron chloride and iron citrate but not ferrichrome, as shown by protection experiments against degradation by added V8 protease. The cloned sfuABC genes conferred upon an Escherichia coli aroB mutant unable to synthesize its own enterochelin siderophore the ability to grow under iron-limiting conditions (in the presence of 0.2 mM 2.2'-dipyridyl). Under extreme iron deficiency (0.4 mM 2.2'-dipyridyl), however, the entry rate of iron across the outer membrane was no longer sufficient for growth. Citrate had to be added in order for iron(III) to be translocated as an iron citrate complex in a FecA- and TonB-dependent manner through the outer membrane and via SfuABC across the cytoplasmic membrane. FecA- and TonB-dependent iron transport across the outer membrane could be clearly correlated with a very low concentration of iron in the medium. Expression of the sfuABC genes in E. coli was controlled by the Fur iron repressor gene. S. marcescens W225 was able to synthesize enterochelin and take up iron(III) enterochelin. It contained an iron(III) aerobactin transport system but lacked aerobactin synthesis. This strain was able to utilize the hydroxamate siderophores ferrichrome, coprogen, ferrioxamine B, rhodotorulic acid, and schizokinen as sole iron sources and grew on iron citrate as well. In contrast to E. coli K-12, S. marcescens could utilize heme. DNA fragments of the E. coli fhuA, iut, exbB, and fur genes hybridized with chromosomal S. marcescens DNA fragments, whereas no hybridization was obtained between S. marcescens chromosomal DNA and E. coli fecA, fhuE, and tonB gene fragments. The presence of multiple iron transport systems was also indicated by the increased synthesis of at least five outer membrane proteins (in the molecular weight range of 72,000 to 87,000) after growth in low-iron media. Serratia liquefaciens and Serratia ficaria produced aerobactin, showing that this siderophore also occurs in the genus Serratia.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗
PubMed1987

Orthopaedic infections by Serratia marcescens: a report of seven cases.

In recent decades, Serratia marcescens has been established as a cause of infections difficult to treat, and several outbreaks of nosocomial infections have been reported, mostly from the USA. However, serratia infections affecting bones and joints are very rare; only a few such cases have previously been reported from Europe. We report 7 patients with orthopaedic infections by S. marcescens chiefly of nosocomial origin where previous antibiotic therapy apparently was a predisposing factor. The clinical course was generally protracted, often requiring repeated surgical interventions. Also, in some cases adequate therapy was considerably delayed as serratia was considered to be a nonpathogenic saprophyte. Multiresistance to antibiotics was a major clinical problem. However, the third generation cephalosporins are often effective against serratia and the aminoglycosides can thus be avoided. The increased use of prophylactic antibiotic therapy in orthopaedic surgery may bring about an increase in the incidence of infections by multiresistant microorganisms in orthopaedic wards.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Haemolytic and proteolytic properties of Serratia spp. rods].

For over fifty years Serratia spp. rods have increasingly been isolated from clinical specimens. The isolation has arisen mainly from hospitalised patients. The development of Serratia spp. infections is associated with predisposing factors of patients, occurrence in both natural settings and within the hospital environment and the virulence factors of bacteria. CDM medium with casein sodium salt, gelatine and Skim Milk were used to detect proteolytic properties. Over 95% of analysed strains produced gelatinase. Casein sodium salt was hydrolysed by 89,6% to 93,1% of strains depending on cultivation temperature. Skim Milk was hydrolysed by 78,5% to 84,7% of analysed Serratia spp. strains. Haemolytic properties of Serratia spp. rods were checked on a solid medium with human and sheep red blood cells at 22, 30, and 37 degrees C. The haemolysis of human erythrocytes at 37 degrees C was detected most frequently at 38,2%. There were no significant differences identified when cultivation temperature was observed.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1979

[Serratia, cause of nosocomial infections and its occurrence in the patient's environment (author's transl)].

The Serratia infections are increasing in hospitalized patients, especially in those with reduced defences. This paper deals with a review of the recent literature on the microbiological characterization of the different Serratia species, the clinical syndrome associated with Serratia infections and the mode of transmission of this opportunistic pathogen. This author's experience in the occurrenceof Serratia in the hospital environment and their sensitivity to antibiotics and disinfectants is presented. The prevention of this infection stemps from these epidemiological data and, above all, consists in application of adequate hospital hygiene measures.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1978

Endemic Serratia marcescens in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., 1971--1976.

The incidence of infections due to Serratia marcescens increased steadily at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to mid 1975 followed by a decline extending into 1977. One hundred eighty-four Serratia marcescens isolates were collected from 123 patients over a 4-month period in 1975 and were characterized by stereotype and antibiotic sensitivity. Three-fourths of the isolates were clinically significant. Among 24 stereotypes O-:H2 predominated in the urinary tract and O-H12 in respiratory secretions. Clusters of serotypes were on occasion identified in the GU Surgery Ward and the Intensive Care Unit. Uninary isolates showed remarkable resistance to antibiotics; only two thirds were susceptible to amikacin, the most effective agent in vitro. The patients from whom Serratia was isolated were older than the general hospital population (60 vs. 53.6 years of age), were hospitalized longer than the age-corrected controls (62 vs. 34.5 days) and two-thirds of thirds of them acquired the infection in the hospital. Uninary catheterization and prior antibiotic therapy were significant risk factors for urinary infections, and prior surgery contributed to recovery of Serratia from the respiratory tract. Serotype and antibiotype differences between isolates from the urinary and those from the respiratory tract suggest that strains evolved a site specificity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Serratia-mastitis in cows as a herd problem].

Clinical mastitis with infection of Serratia marcescens occurred in a tied-up dairy herd in Sweden on a scale widely exceeding what has hitherto been reported in veterinary literature. The herd contained 37 milking cows before the disease period but only 14 at slaughter 21 months later in spite of some recruitment. A very large number of mastitis cases, usually rather mild and of short duration, had then occurred--during one single month not less than 47 cases. Hardly any cow escaped the disease. Instead, the single cows fell ill at short intervals with mastitis in the same quarter as previously or in another quarter. Antibiotic therapy in clinical cases, dry cow therapy and teat dipping had no obvious effect. Serratia marcescens was isolated in all 14 slaughtered cows in one or more quarters. The morphological changes were remarkably mild. Isolated Serratia strains revealed no distinctive marks compared with ordinary saprophytic strains in laboratory tests. Serratia-contaminated sawdust used as litter was possibly the source of infection and the milking machine possibly the tool for the transmission of bacteria to the udder, in the latter case by the aspiration of contaminated sawdust when the claw was attached or detached, or it fell off during milking. The pathogenicity of the bacteria and the susceptibility of the cows to udder infection may have been increased.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Multiple fimbrial haemagglutinins in Serratia species.

Fifty-six strains from nine Serratia species, grown under a variety of cultural conditions, were examined in rocked-tile tests for the presence of haemagglutinins (HAs) and with the electron microscope for fimbriae. All strains were haemagglutinating; most (71%) formed two or three of the different kinds of HA detected. These were: (i) a mannose-sensitive HA (MS-HA); (ii) a mannose-resistant, klebsiella-like HA (MR/K-HA); (iii) two mannose-resistant, proteus-like HAs (MR/P-HA), one of which showed broad-spectrum HA activity against different species of erythrocytes and the other narrow-spectrum HA activity. Five types of fimbriae associated with the different HAs were observed. This description of the fimbrial HAs in nine species of Serratia is the most comprehensive so far produced and should provide a basis for future studies directed towards elucidating the ecological role of the adhesins in in-vivo colonization by serratiae as commensals or pathogens.

Fimbriae, Bacterial↗
PubMed2006

Characterization of imipenem-resistant Serratia marcescens producing IMP-type and TEM-type beta-lactamases encoded on a single plasmid.

To evaluate the roles of blaIMP and blaTEM genes in the resistance of Serratia marcescens against beta-lactams and to find the spreading ways of these genes, 19 clinical isolates of imipenem-resistant Serratia marcescens were analyzed. Six strains bore blaIMP and blaTEM genes on a single plasmid, as confirmed by transferring resistance determinants via conjugation and transformation, and by detecting bla genes with PCR analysis. The six strains showed two different genomic patterns on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. All the transconjugants and transformants gained high-level resistance to ampicillin, cephalexin, cefoxitin and cefotaxime, and showed a reduced susceptibility to imipenem, but maintained full susceptibility to aztreonam. In addition, the expressions of blaIMP and blaTEM genes were constitutive, either in Serratia marcescens clinical isolates or in their transconjugants and transformants. These findings may explain the rapid spread of the above resistance determinants among Enterobacteriaceae via transmissible plasmids in the clinical setting.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

Serratia marcescens keratitis: strain-specific corneal pathogenesis in rabbits.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop an animal model of Serratia keratitis that is suitable to demonstrate the pathology of specific strains. METHODS: Serratia marcescens ocular strains 93-1399-1 and 94-EI-185-2, and an environmental strain (ATCC 14041) were characterized in vitro in terms of their motility, metabolic profiles, ribotypes, and protease production. The strains were then analyzed in the rabbit intrastromal injection model. Slit lamp examination (SLE) and enumeration of bacteria in the cornea was conducted every 6 hours for 30 hours post-infection. In vivo motilities were analyzed by quantification of bacteria in the peripheral and central areas of infected rabbit corneas. RESULTS: All strains were similar in their metabolic activity and production of extracellular proteases. The ocular isolates were distinct from the environmental strain in their ribotyping patterns and in their motility. Each strain grew logarithmically in the cornea up to 6 hours post-infection. SLE scores increased from 0 to 30 hours post-infection for strains ATCC 14041 and 93-1399-1, while the SLE score of strain 94-EI-185-2 reached its maximum at 18 hours post-infection. Strain-specific differences in pathology were noted from 18 to 30 hours post-infection. Strain 94-EI-185-2 produced iritis but only mild corneal changes. Strain 93-1399-1 produced a severe corneal infiltrate encompassing the entire corneal surface as well as severe conjunctival inflammation and iritis. Strain ATCC 14041 produced a localized, severe, exudative corneal abscess that contained infecting bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: A rabbit model of Serratia keratitis was developed in which bacterial growth kinetics and strain-specific ocular pathologic changes were reproducible.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The effect of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in resistance to systemic Serratia infection.

Protection against experimental Serratia marcescens infection in mice was enhanced by prior injection of formalin-killed or viable bacteria of the same strain. From the first to the fourth week after vaccination, specific immunity was involved in the host defence against systemic serratia infection. The transfer of antiserum specific for S. marcescens increased bacterial clearance from the liver, but did not increase the survival of the mice. Bacterial clearance from the liver was also increased by the transfer of spleen cells from immunised mice, but, again, survival was not increased. However, the transfer of both antiserum and spleen cells from vaccinated mice increased both bacterial clearance from the liver and survival (p less than 0.01). These results suggest an additive effect of humoral immunity and T-cell-mediated immunity in protection against systemic serratia infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The role of Serratia marcescens in soft contact lens associated ocular infections. A review.

Serratia marcescens is a Gram negative rod which for a century and a half was considered a harmless saphrophyte. However, medical technology and the use of antibacterial agents have created ecological niches for this bacterium, which is now a medical problem. The bacterium is encountered in connection with contact lens keratitis, often associated with contaminated contact lens solutions. The concentrations of chlorhexidin and thiomersal required in contact lens solution to suppress the bacterium have been proved toxic to the eye. Modern contact lens solutions with biguanids have rapid killing kinetics, while in solutions with polyquaternium S. marcescens can survive in reduced numbers for up to 72 hours. The adherence of a specific isolate of Serratia to hydrogel lenses increased with decreased water content of the lenses. However, there has been no correlation between hydrophobicity markers or hemagglutinins and adherence to contact lenses or urinary tract epithelium. When handling medical plastic devices, such as contact lenses, strictly enforced hygiene remains the most important method to combat environmental bacteria such as Serratia marcescens.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Gentamicin use and Pseudomonas and Serratia resistance: effect of a surgical prophylaxis regimen.

An outbreak of prosthetic valve endocarditis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis prompted a change in antimicrobial prophylaxis for open heart surgery in a general hospital from a regimen of aqueous penicillin G, methicillin, and kanamycin to a 5-day regimen of cefazolin and gentamicin. As a result, total gentamicin use in the hospital more than doubled. Increased resistance of pseudomonas and serratia isolates paralleled the increased total use of gentamicin. For pseudomonas species, the incidence of gentamicin resistance increased from 3 to 15%; for serratia species, from 8 to 88%; and for the total of both organisms, from 4 to 28%. Resistance decreased rapidly after removal of gentamicin from the prophylaxis regimen. Review of serratia isolates from the urinary tract showed that gentamicin resistance was associated with prior antibiotic therapy, especially with gentamicin, care on the surgical services, especially the surgical intensive care unit, and presence of indwelling bladder catheters. Gentamicin use in a 5-day antimicrobial prophylaxis regimen for open heart surgery can represent a large proportion of the total hospital use of that antibiotic, with potential adverse effects on hospital flora.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗
PubMed2006

Virulence of Serratia strains against Costelytra zealandica.

Strains of Serratia spp. showed a high level of virulence when injected into the hemocoel of larvae Costelytra zealandica, with Serratia entomophila, S. plymuthica, and S. marcescens showing significantly higher virulence than S. proteamaculans. Toxicity was independent of the amber disease-causing plasmid pADAP, suggesting a generalized Serratia toxin.

Animals↗
PubMed1963

SELECTIVE INHIBITION OF PROLINE-INDUCED PIGMENTATION IN WASHED CELLS OF SERRATIA MARCESCENS.

Blizzard, John L. (University of Houston, Houston, Texas) and G. E. Peterson. Selective inhibition of proline-induced pigmentation in washed cells of Serratia marcescens. J. Bacteriol. 85:1136-1140. 1963.-Streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracyclines inhibited the synthesis of prodigiosin by Serratia marcescens strain D1. This occurred at concentrations of the antibiotic too low to inhibit the growth of the organism in either agar media or broth cultures. Nonpigmented cells were produced in broth by either adding streptomycin or incubating at 37 C. After being washed and resuspended in aqueous saline containing either casein hydrolysate, l-proline, or a glycine-succinate mixture and incubated at 27 C for 24 hr, these cells formed pigment. The appearance of pigment was preceded by a lag period of 10 hr. Prodigiosin production by these washed suspensions of cells was completely inhibited by either streptomycin or glucose, or by incubation at 37 C instead of 27 C. Even though pigmentation by washed-cell suspensions was induced by proline, the utilization of proline was not affected by streptomycin or glucose, or by incubation at 37 C. To block pigmentation completely, streptomycin had to be added to proline-supplemented cells before they were 10 hr old. Addition of the antibiotic after the end of the induction period caused either partial or no inhibition of pigment production. Streptomycin caused an increase in the endogenous respiration of S. marcescens but failed to affect the constitutive enzymes that oxidize glucose. The possible relationships of these phenomena are discussed. Weil (1952) reported that low concentrations of chloramphenicol and certain tetracyclines inhibit the synthesis of prodigiosin while permitting growth by Serratia marcescens. He noted the potential value to "mode-of-action" studies of an organism having certain functions selectively inhibited by antibiotics. We confirmed Weil's (1952) observations and found that streptomycin at low concentration would also inhibit the synthesis of prodigiosin without impeding growth. Further studies of the selective inhibition of prodigiosin synthesis by streptomycin were performed using nonproliferating suspensions of washed cells (Gott and Williams, 1961). Either a glycine-succinate mixture or l-proline could cause nonproliferating cells to form pigment. A period of induction preceded the formation of pigment. Either streptomycin or glucose, or an incubation temperature of 37 C, inhibited the proline-induced pigmentation by washed cells. Further investigations provided insights to these findings.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1992

Pink hypopyon: a sign of Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis.

Endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis in infants is uncommon. We recently examined and treated an infant who presented with pink hypopyon which followed a Serratia marcescens septicaemia. Culture of the aspirate from the anterior chamber showed no red blood cells, and grew Serratia marcescens, which was also isolated from the tip of the child's umbilical artery catheter. The presence of a pink hypopyon in the absence of hyphaema may suggest the diagnosis of Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis.

Anterior Chamber↗
PubMed1992

Serratia marcescens endocarditis in a horse.

Serratia marcescens was the causative agent of bacterial endocarditis in a 2-year-old Arabian stallion. The horse was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics for 1 month. The horse died several months after treatment was discontinued. To our knowledge, Serratia marcescens has not been reported as the cause of bacterial endocarditis in horses; however, multiple cases of bacterial endocarditis attributable to Serratia marcescens have been documented in human beings. The bacteria is most commonly isolated in immune-compromised patients.

Animals↗