Serratia marcescens
Serratia marcescens is a species of Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria in the family Yersiniaceae.
Serratia marcescens is a species of Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria in the family Yersiniaceae. It is commonly found in the environment and is known as an opportunistic pathogen that can cause hospital-acquired infections in humans. The species is also notable for producing a red pigment called prodigiosin.
Taxonomy and characteristics
Serratia marcescens belongs to the genus Serratia in the family Yersiniaceae. It is described as a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacterium.
Ecology and appearance
The species occurs widely in the environment, including soil, water, plants, and animals. Its prodigiosin pigment can produce distinctive pink, red, or orange coloration on moist surfaces.
Medical importance
S. marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen and is often linked to nosocomial infections. Reported infections include urinary tract infections, wound infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infection, and meningitis.
History
The species was first identified in the early 19th century by Bartolomeo Bizio, who observed its characteristic red discoloration in food material.
Key facts
- It is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium.
- It is a facultative anaerobe and an opportunistic pathogen in humans.
- It is associated with hospital-acquired infections, including urinary tract infections, wound infections, and bacteremia.
- It produces the red pigment prodigiosin, which can cause pink to red discoloration in damp environments.
- It is found in soil, water, plants, animals, and other moist environments.
Serratia marcescens is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through hospital infection control and environmental microbiology, since it is an opportunistic pathogen associated with healthcare settings.
Frequently asked questions
What is Serratia marcescens?
Where is Serratia marcescens found?
What infections can it cause?
Why does it look red or pink?
Is Serratia marcescens dangerous to healthy people?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serratia_marcescensSupports: Basic taxonomy, morphology, opportunistic pathogen status, and hospital-acquired infection associations.
- ScienceDirect — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/serratia-marcescensSupports: Historical identification, pathogenic significance, and infection types.
- CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases — https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/25/11/et-2511_articleSupports: Pigment prodigiosin, damp-environment occurrence, and nosocomial infections.
- MicrobeWiki — https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Serratia_marcescensSupports: Environmental distribution and discovery history.
- Infectious Disease Advisor — https://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/ddi/serratia-marcescens/Supports: Environmental occurrence, prodigiosin-related coloration, and infection overview.
- Cleveland Clinic — https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/serratia-marcescensSupports: Clinical overview, hospital-acquired transmission context, and common infection types.
- PubMed Central — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12691863/Supports: Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacillus classification and opportunistic pathogen description.