Serratia marcescens

Serratia marcescens is a species of rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae. A human pathogen, S. marcescens is involved in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), particularly catheter-associated bacteremia, urinary tract infections and wound infections, and is responsible for 1.4% of HAI cases in the United States.

Characteristics

S. marcescens is found in the environment (soil, water, plants, insects). It produces a red pigment called prodigiosin, which is responsible for the red color of colonies observed when it is grown on a solid medium. S. marcescens also exhibits chemotaxis towards certain types of sugars and amino acids.

Pathogenesis

S. marcescens can cause infection in several sites, including the urinary tract, respiratory tract, wounds, and the bloodstream. It is also associated with endophthalmitis, meningitis, and septicemia. S. marcescens is resistant to several antibiotics, including ampicillin, macrolides, and first-generation cephalosporins, making infections difficult to treat.

History

S. marcescens was discovered in 1819 by Venetian pharmacist Bartolomeo Bizio, who named it in honor of Serafino Serrati, an Italian physicist who invented the steamboat. Its significance as a human pathogen was not recognized until the 20th century.

See also

• List of bacterial genera named after personal names
• List of bacteria genera

References

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Serratia marcescens

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