biostudies-literatureUnknown25(1)Osman R<h4>Background</h4>Serratia marcescens, a gram-negative bacterium once considered non-pathogenic, is now recognized as a cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients with outbreaks reported in neonatal intensive care units. In newborns, it can result in severe illness, including sepsis and meningitis. It is well recognized by the production of pink pigment found on drains and other equipment, including breast pumps.<h4>Case report</h4>We report a case of a two-month-old previously healthy infant with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, whose mother had pink-stained expressed breast milk. Cultures of the breast milk and gastrointestinal aspirates of the infant grew S. marcescens. The infant received proton pump inhibitors, blood transfusions, and antibioticBMC infectious diseases482https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11980271biostudies-literatureSerratia marcescens and its role in Pink breast milk and upper GI bleeding in an infant: a Tanzanian case report.PMC11980271Bulimba MEbrahim MWalli NMbuki MShogholo JANoorani MSalum HNg'wanasayi MDOsman RfalseSerratia marcescens and its role in Pink breast milk and upper GI bleeding in an infant: a Tanzanian case report.<h4>Background</h4>Serratia marcescens, a gram-negative bacterium once considered non-pathogenic, is now recognized as a cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients with outbreaks reported in neonatal intensive care units. In newborns, it can result in severe illness, including sepsis and meningitis. It is well recognized by the production of pink pigment found on drains and other equipment, including breast pumps.<h4>Case report</h4>We report a case of a two-month-old previously healthy infant with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, whose mother had pink-stained expressed breast milk. Cultures of the breast milk and gastrointestinal aspirates of the infant grew S. marcescens. The infant received proton pump inhibitors, blood transfusions, and antibiotic2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Apr2025-07-05T03:04:52.839Z2025-07-05T03:04:52.839ZS-EPMC119802714020015010.1186/s12879-025-10862-1