Genomic epidemiological analysis of a single-centre polyclonal outbreak of <i>Serratia marcescens</i>, Belgium, 2022 to 2023.

ABSTRACT: Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen with a propensity to cause nosocomial outbreaks, particularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). We present a sustained outbreak spanning over 18 months (1 January 2022-29 August 2023) in a NICU in Antwerp, Belgium, affecting 61 neonates, identified through samples taken for diagnostic purposes and by rectal screening. Ten neonates were infected: five with lower respiratory tract infection, four with conjunctivitis and one fatal case with sepsis. In a logistic regression analysis, nursing in an incubator was significantly associated with acquisition of S. marcescens (odds ratio (OR): 2.99; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-8.25; p < 0.05). Whole genome sequencing-based multilocus sequence typing (wgMLST) and core genome

SUBMITTER: Van Goethem S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11605797 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature