What does Serratia marcescens do to you?
Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) is a gram-negative bacillus that occurs naturally in soil and water and produces a red pigment at room temperature. It is associated with urinary and respiratory infections, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, septicemia, wound infections, eye infections, and meningitis.
Where is Serratia marcescens commonly found?
It is commonly found in the respiratory and urinary tracts of hospitalized adults and in the gastrointestinal systems of children. Due to its abundant presence in the environment, and its preference for damp conditions, S.
How did I get Serratia marcescens?
The most common cause of this pink “stuff” is a red or pink pigmented bacteria known as Serratia marcescens. Serratia bacteria are common inhabitants of our environment and can be found in many places, including human and animal feces, dust, soil, and in surface waters.
What is the shape of Serratia?
Introduction. Serratia marcescens is a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae.
Is Serratia marcescens serious?
S. marcescens has been shown to cause a wide range of infectious diseases, including urinary, respiratory, and biliary tract infections, peritonitis, wound infections, and intravenous catheter-related infections, which can also lead to life-threatening bacteremia.
Is Serratia marcescens harmful to human health?
Today, Serratia marcescens is considered a harmful human pathogen which has been known to cause urinary tract infections, wound infections, and pneumonia. Serratia bacteria also have many antibiotic resistance properties which may become important if the incidence of Serratia infections dramatically increases.
What happens if Serratia marcescens is left untreated?
marcescens has been shown to cause a wide range of infectious diseases, including urinary, respiratory, and biliary tract infections, peritonitis, wound infections, and intravenous catheter-related infections, which can also lead to life-threatening bacteremia.
How is Serratia transmitted?
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Ingestion of contaminated foods and direct contact 3. Nosocomial transmission may occur by hand contact from hospital personnel and other patients. Fomites may also spread Serratia.
Why is there a red ring in my toilet?
Toilet bowls, by their nature, provide a welcoming environment for Serratia marcescens bacteria. That’s because it’s a common bacteria found in human fecal material, and it also thrives in moisture. Put the two together, and it’s likely that a red toilet bowl ring will develop.
How do you grow Serratia?
Serratia, like other Enterobacteriaceae, grow well on ordinary media under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. They grow well on synthetic media using various compounds as a single carbon source. Optimum growth of all strains of Serratia has been observed at pH 9 and at temperatures from 20–37°C.
Where can you find Serratia marcescens in the world?
Serratia. S. marcescens is typically found in showers, toilet bowls, and around wetted tiles. 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.
What kind of environment does a Serratia live in?
Species of Serratia have been isolated in a variety of environments, including soil, water, plants, animals and even air.
Why was Serratia marcescens used in Operation Sea Spray?
A study using Serratia marcescens was carried out to determine the possibility of biological weapons being transmitted by wind current. In the famous “Operation Sea Spray” the US Army filled balloons with Serratia marcescens and exploded them over San Fransisco.
Why does Serratia marcescens grow on communion wafers?
This and the fact that Serratia marcescens typically grows on bread and communion wafers stored in moist places, has led scientists to suggest Serratia contamination as a possible explanation for transubstantiation miracles (the conversion of bread to the body and blood of Christ).