An Outbreak of Serratia marcescens Infections Related to Contaminated Chlorhexidine | Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology | Cambridge Core (original) (raw)

Abstract

An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections occurred in a university tertiary-care hospital. Alcohol-free chlorhexidine solutions were contaminated with S marcescens. The majority of patient and chlorhexidine strains had similar pulsed field-gel electrophoresis banding patterns. Chlorhexidine was recalled, and the rate of S marcescens isolation returned to baseline. Chlorhexidine without alcohol should not be used as an antiseptic

References

  1. Yu, VL, Oakes, CA, Axnick, KJ, Merigan, TC. Patient factors contributing to the emergence of gentamicin-resistant Serratia marcescens . Am J Med 1979;66:468–472.Google Scholar

  2. Sautter, RL, Mattman, LH, Legaspi, RC. Serratia marcescens meningitis associated with a contaminated benzalkonium chloride solution. Infect Control 1984;5:223–225.Google Scholar

  3. Barry, MA, Craven, DE, Goularte, TA, Lichtenberg, DA. Serratia marcescens contamination of antiseptic soap containing triclosan: implications for nosocomial infection. Infect Control 1984;5:427–430.Google Scholar

  4. McAllister, TA, Lucas, CE, Mocan, H, Liddell, RHA, Gibson, BES, Hann, IM, et al. Serratia marcescens outbreak in a paediatric oncology unit traced to contaminated chlorhexidine. Scot Med J 1989;34:525–528.Google Scholar

  5. Pfaller, MA, Hollis, RJ, Sader, HS. Chromosomal restriction fragment analysis by pulsed-field gel electropheresis. In: Isenberg, HD, ed. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook. American Society for Microbiology. Washington, DC; 1994(suppl 1):10.5C.1–11.Google Scholar

  6. Burdon, DW, Whitby, JL. Contamination of hospital disinfectants with Pseudomonas species. Br Med J 1967;2:153–155.Google Scholar

  7. Rutala, WA, Cole, EC. Antiseptics and disinfectants: safe and effective? Infect Control 1984;5:215–218.Google Scholar