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Case Reports
. 1984 Jan 21;1(8369):151-3.
doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(84)90074-6.

An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections in a neonatal unit

P J Smith, D S Brookfield, D A Shaw, J Gray
Case Reports

An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections in a neonatal unit

P J Smith et al. Lancet. .

Abstract

Over a 15-month period 732 babies were admitted to a neonatal unit, and Serratia marcescens was isolated from 153 (21%). In one-fifth (34) a clinical infection (9 major and 25 minor) developed. Major infection was associated with high mortality and morbidity and 2 cases presented after the neonatal period. No environmental reservoir was found. Colonised symptom-free neonates were considered to be the source, with transmission by staff-baby contact despite adequate hand-washing. Overcrowding was believed to be responsible for the difficulties experienced in eradicating this transmission.

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