Serratia
| Serratia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Serratia marcescens, a typical species, on XLD agar.[1] | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Proteobacteria |
| Class: | Gammaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Enterobacteriales |
| Family: | Enterobacteriaceae |
| Genus: | Serratia Bizio 1823 |
| Species | |
|
S. entomophila | |
Serratia is a genus of Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, endosporeforming,[2] rod-shaped bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family. The most common and pathogenic of the species in the genus, S. marcescens, is normally the only pathogen and usually causes nosocomial infections. However, rare strains of S. plymuthica, S. liquefaciens, S. rubidaea, and S. odoriferae have caused diseases through infection.[3] Members of this genus produce characteristic red pigment, prodigiosin, and can be distinguished from other members of the Enterobacteriaceae family by their unique production of three enzymes: DNase, lipase, and gelatinase.[4] S. marcescens is typically found in showers, toilet bowls, and around wetted tiles.
Infection of humans
The bacterium is an opportunistic human pathogen, capitalizing on its ability to form tight-knit surface communities called biofilms wherever it can.[2] S. marcescens is thought to be transmitted through hand-to-hand transmission by hospital personnel.[2] It also Infects urethras through catheters, lungs via resIn the hospital, Serratia species tend to colonize the respiratory and urinary tracts, rather than the gastrointestinal tract, in adults. Serratia infection is responsible for about 2% of nosocomial infections of the bloodstream, lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, surgical wounds, and skin and soft tissues in adult patients. Outbreaks of S. marcescens meningitis, wound infections, and arthritis have occurred in pediatric wards.[5]
Cases of Serratia arthritis have been reported in outpatients receiving intra-articular injections.
History
S. marcescens was first documented as a red coloured putrefaction of polenta [6] by Bartolomeo Bizio in Padua. The bacterium was later named in honour of Serafino Serrati and marcescens because of the pigments rapid discolouration and decay.[6]
References
- ↑ Images courtesy of CDC Accessed 7 July 2011.
- 1 2 3 Basilio J Anía (21 October 2015). "Serratia". Medscape.
- ↑ Basilio J. Anía, M.D. "Serratia". eMedicine. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
- ↑ "Serratia". University of Texas at Houston Medical School. Archived from the original on 2007-01-28. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
- ↑ Health Canada. MSDS - Infectious Substances. Serratia. (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/msds138e-eng.php) Accessed 7 July 2011.
- 1 2 "Bartolomeo Bizio's Letter to the most Eminent Priest, Angelo Bellani, Concerning the Phenomenon of the Red Colored Polenta". Journal of Bacteriology. November 1924. pp. 527–543. Retrieved 18 April 2016.