Serratia marcescens is a type of bacterium that is widespread in the environment. Serratia bacteria are airborne and commonly grow in the home anywhere phosphorous-containing materials or fatty substances accumulate. The bacteria often appear as a slimy pink substance appearing on moist areas such as showers and bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and pet water dishes.
A small percentage of people can become ill when exposed to Serratia and may develop urinary tract infections, wound infections, and pneumonia in hospital environments.
You can get Serratia by:
- Ingesting foods contaminated with the bacteria
- Direct contact
- Hand contact from hospital personnel and other patients
- Shared used of clothes, utensils, and furniture, which may carry the bacteria
What Are Symptoms of Serratia?
Symptoms of Serratia depend on the body part infected.
Symptoms of Serratia sepsis may include:
Serratia urinary tract infections (UTIs) do not cause symptoms in about 30 to 50 percent of patients. When symptoms of Serratia urinary tract infections occur, they may include:
- Fever
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty urinating
- Pain upon urination
- White blood cells in urine
Symptoms of Serratia respiratory tract infection may include:
- Serratia pneumonia (rare)
- Fever, chills
- Productive cough
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Symptoms of Serratia meningitis or cerebral abscesses may include:
Symptoms of Serratia intra-abdominal infections may include:
Symptoms of Serratia endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valve) may include:
- Fever
- Pinpoint, round spots on the skin (petechiae)
- Complications of blood clots (e.g., stroke, arterial emboli)
- Symptoms of Serratia eye infections may include:
- Eye redness
- Decreased vision
- Eye pain
- Feeling something is in the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision
Symptoms of Serratia soft tissue infections may include:
- Surgical scars
- Cellulitis
- Phlebitis
- Skin infections
Symptoms of Serratia ear infections (otitis media) may include:
- Earaches
- Hearing loss
- Ear discharge
How Is Serratia Diagnosed?
Serratia is diagnosed with patient history and physical examination.
Testing may include the following:
- Blood tests
- Complete blood count (CBC) with differential
- Serum biochemistry for glucose, urea, and creatinine
- Bacterial cultures and antibiograms
- Cerebrospinal fluid testing
- Imaging tests
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan
- Transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
What Is the Treatment for Serratia?
Serratia can be drug-resistant, and a consult with an infectious disease specialist may be recommended.
Serratia is usually treated with antibiotics, but it is naturally resistant to several common antibiotics such as ampicillin, macrolides, and first-generation cephalosporins. Antibiotics used to treat Serratia include:
Abscesses may need to be surgically drained along with adjunctive antibiotic therapy.
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https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/228495-overview
https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/departments/water/whatwedo/drinkingwater/waterquality/factsaboutserratiamarcescens