Opportunistic Infections Caused by Serratia marcescens

Introduction

Red colony of
Serratia marcescens. Image from:http://www.retroscope.eu/wordpress/serratia-marcescens/serratiamarcescenscolony/

By [Brittany Currey]

Serratia marcescens, a rod-shaped gram-negative bacterium (0.5-0.8 µm in diameter and 0.9-2.0 µm in length), is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family (4, 11). It is a facultative anaerobe that can grow in the presence and absence of oxygen at temperatures between 30°C and 37°C. It metabolizes by either respiratory or fermentative processes classifying it as a chemoorganotroph (4). Ubiquitous in nature, S. marcescens is found on dead organic material, while some inhabit soil, water, air, plants, animals, or food. In particular, food sources that provide a nutrient rich environment include starchy variants (11). The bacterium propels itself in these different environments using peritrichous flagellum (4).

Identifiable in ecological niches by their red pigment, prodigiosin (2-methyl-3-penty-6-methoxyprodigiosin), S. marcescens can resemble blood (11). Since this pigment is easily recognized in certain strains due to its red coloring, it has been extensively used as a biological marker (31). However, not all strains contain red pigment and most clinical isolates of S. marcescens have to rely on other biological markers since the majority of bacteria are not pigmented (10). Also, prodigiosin has antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoan, and immunosuppressant activity. Environmental signals such as temperature, phosphate limitation, and medium components regulate prodigiosin production. Prodigiosin is not the only secreted product, many more include protease, nucleases, lipase, chitinase, the biosurfactant serrawettin, and hemolysin (29).

Although, S. marcescens was considered to be an innocuous, non-pathogenic organism, over the last two decades they have become an opportunist pathogen causing nosocomial infections (11). A broad range of hospital-acquired infections caused by S. marcescens include respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), septicaemia, meningitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis wound and eye infections, osteomyelitis, keratoconjunctivitis, keratitis, endophthalmitis and endocarditis (5, 11, 14, 15, 28). Reports have shown rare cases of S. marcescens in nonhospital settings. These cases are linked to patients with immune deficiencies or chronic debilitating diseases. S. marcescens are also capable of causing diseases in a diverse group of organisms including animals, coral, insects, and plants (8, 11).

Many problems arise in treating nosocomial infections because of resistance to a variety of antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, aztreonam, imipenem, cefotaxime, and ceftazidime (16, 25). Therefore, novel treatment techniques are in need to eliminate infections without overuse of the antibiotic (29).

Hydrophobicity

Figure 1: A-F) Biofilm development of
Serratia marcescens MG1 supplemented with glucose over a 10-day period. Image from:http://jb.asm.org/cgi/reprint/189/1/119

S. marcescens are pathogenic and virulent because of their ability to adhere to host epithelial surfaces. Studies have shown that S. marcescens are capable of adhering to hydrocarbons and polystyrene allowing them to infect hosts by cell-surface hydrophobicity (2). Not only do these organisms adhere to biotic substrates but they are also found on abiotic substrates such as contact lenses. These organisms may possess pili that foster their adherence as well as an O-antigen that has a strong influence on the adhesion to abiotic and biotic surfaces (11). In particular, such interactions are mediated by large surface pili called type 1 fimbriae (13).

S. marcescens possessing type 1 fimbriae use biofilms to regulate quorum sensing (12). Biofilms are formed when S. marcescens aggregate together and attach to a surface (Figure 1). When these microbes aggregate together they can communicate with one another via quorum sensing. Organisms can benefit from biofilms because they are proposed to provide protection against external stress. However, when cells reach high densities within a biofilm this may result in stressful environments classified by limited nutrients and oxygen, nonoptimal pH, and accumulation of metabolic by-products. Therefore, it is important that S. marcescens can evolve and adapt to different microniches within biofilms (15). Biofilms play an important role in disease of humans and plants, and Koh et al. (2007) have characterized the development of the microcolony-type biofilm of S. marcescens MG1. S. marcescens showed a strong, diversifying selection occurring within the biofilm to enhance the adaptive potential of the microbial population. Moreover, different stages of biofilm development showed specialized traits displaying different phenotypic variants (Figure 1). Studies will better understand microbial evolution processes by functional diversification within the biofilm (15). Ultimately, this information could be useful to better understand the diversification of S. marcescens strains impacting humans and plants.

Antibiotic Susceptibility

The external face of the outer membrane of S. marcescens is formed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which is responsible for the biological activity of an endotoxin in its ability to cause disease. The outer membrane that surrounds this gram negative bacterium cell protects it from toxic agents by slowing their penetration and hindering their access to the target site. LPS is composed of parts that include the O-antigen, lipid A, and the core (11).

S. marcescens can become resistant to pencillins via two methods. First, S. marcescens has been shown to decrease its outer-membrane permeability and second, this bacterium uses beta lactamase to cleave the beta lactam ring of pencillin which inhibits the entry of the antibiotic (11).

In several Enterobacteriaceae species, efflux by RND-type transporters is known to confer resistance to an antibiotic, tigecycline. Hornsey et al. (2010) examined tigecycline in S. marcescens clinical isolates and laboratory-selected mutants to investigate efflux by RND-type transporters. In gram negative bacteria, RND-type efflux systems usually have a cytoplasmic membrane pump, a periplasmic component, and an outer membrane channel. However, the outer membrane channels in S. marcescens are not fully understood. In this present study, up-regulation of endogenous SdeXY-HasF mediated efflux is associated with tigecycline resistance in S. marcescens (12).

Kumar and Worobee (2002) studied fluoroquinolone resistance of S. marcescens. They examined four fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and nalidixic acid) to determine the drug specificity of efflux. Western immunoblot experiments demonstrated the presence of at least two AcrA-like proteins in S. marcescens that resembled the periplasmic component of the pump. Thus, S. marcescens can become resistant to fluoroquinolones possibly by proton dependent efflux via RND pumps (16).

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Many cases of S. marcescens have been diagnosed by taking a biopsy of infected tissue, mucous, or blood. These samples were then grown in culture to see if a colony of S. marcescens appeared.

Infection control measures used to prevent the spread of S. marcescens outbreaks in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (NICU, PICU) includes patient isolation, use of gloves and gowns, enforced hand disinfection, and correct use of antimicrobial substances (39,40).

Furthermore, effective measures of environmental cleaning depends highly on the availability of trained service personnel. Therefore, additional personnel should be recruited to help disinfect environmental hand contact surfaces and multiuse equipment (39).

Contaminated breast milk by S. marcescens may be prevented with proper handling, preparation, and storage in NICUs (39).

Reports have shown that if an outbreak of S. marcescens persists, some hospitals decided to close affected units to new admissions. Some closed beds to gain more space for infected patients. Although this method may prevent the spread of S. marcescens, a loss of income may result from a substantial decrease in patient numbers.(39)

Transmission in Hospitals

S. marcescens infections are known to be transmitted through hand-to-hand contact by medical personell. In this case, solutions used for medical purposes, catheterizations, and needle punctures can be contaminated (31). S. marcescens may also contaminate patients because they are known to survive and grow well on disinfectants, antiseptics, and in distilled water. In addition, S. marcescens have been found in de-ionized water isolated from blood bags (11).

Cases in Humans

Figure 2:A 0.5-cm protruding crusted papule on the tip on the nose infected with Serratia marcescens. Image from:http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2010.01788.x/pdf

Figure 3: Top: Right lower leg with multiple, sharply demarked ulcers and absceding nodules. Middle:Fluctuating abscess on the malleolus lateralis. Bottom:Rapidly improved after adapted therapy.Image from:http://www.john-libbey-eurotext.fr/e-docs/00/04/43/20/vers_alt/VersionPDF.pdf

Figure 4:Operative photograph of necrotic oropharynx from initial debridement at tertiary hospital. A nasogastric feeding tube traverses the wound (solid arrow), and the suction is resting on the prevertebral fascia. Empty arrow delineates remnant of soft palate.Image from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6T7V-4V402DV-1-N&_cdi=5068&_user=7774802&_pii=S0165587608005053&_origin=gateway&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2009&_sk=999269996&view=c&wchp=dGLbVzW-zSkWA&md5=88a67741405d6a92cc67e9cad7af5abf&ie=/sdarticle.pdf

First cases of nosocomial infections were recognized in humans in 1951 (31).

Dong Jin Ryu et al. (2010) presented a 26-year old woman who received augmentation rhinoplasty with a Gore-Tex implant. Twelve months following the initial plastic surgery, a second surgery was performed to fix the extrusion of the original implant with a silicone and cartilage implant. Two months later a folliculitis-like lesion formed on the tip of her nose. Signs of infection occurred when the lesion became tender and swelled enough to produce discharge. The lesion contained S. marcescens which was detected from a culture (Figure 2). The lesion was treated with ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin, two antibiotics that produced significant effects on S. marcescens. The implant was later removed and the skin lesion healed three weeks later. Other Cutaneous infections caused by S. marcescens are uncommon but may be predisposed by immunocompromised conditions or pre-damaged skin (18). Langrock et al. (2008) presented a case in which a 73-year-old man contained multiple ulcers and painful nodules on the lower right leg as well as abscesses on the right malleolous lateralis. Skin cultures taken from the lesions were highly positive for S. marcescens. The skin lesions had appeared 4 weeks and neither topical nor oral antibiotic treatment with pencillin improved the lesions. Instead, topical therapy, repeated incision and draining of the abscesses, as well as the continuation of intravenous ertapenem improved skin lesions. The lesions improved gradually after 10 days of treatment and infection ceased completely, leaving hyperpigmented scars on the lower right leg (Figure 3).

Five cases have been reported of Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) which infects soft tissues that spreads along fascia lines. Four of the five cases had lower extremity NF while one case involved an immunocompetent 2-year-old-who developed cervical NF infecting fascia planes of the head and neck (37) (Figure 4). This patient with cervical NF was treated with serial debridements with irrigation of 3% hydrogen peroxide that was effective at removing necrotic tissue without need for external incisions. Unfornately, this patient was in an intensive care unit for a prolonged period of time due to sedation to tolerate wound packing and rapidly succumbed to the infection (37).

Several outbreaks of S. marcescens have been found in NICUs and PICUs throughout the world. Voelz et al. (2010) reported 27 studies in which 34 outbreaks of S. marcescens resulted. The Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, detected an outbreak of multidrug–resistant (MDR) S. marcescens in a 36-bed NICU. The investigation took place from October 2004 through February 2005 in which one-third of the neonates hospitalized became infected or colonized the MDR bacterium. The strain of S. marcescens was resistant to a majority of commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents. The epidemiologic report did not identify environmental or healthcare worker hands as the source of contamination because the case-control study was limited by a small sample size. However, individuals with low birth rates have previously been found as a risk factor for S. marcescens infection among neonates. Also, transmission of MDR S. marcescens was thought to be acquired by the location within the NICU. Here, reports show that the majority of the patients in pod 1 had acquired the organism, implying that there may have been an undetected environmental source or vector of transmission. The acquisition of the infection could also have been due to overcrowding of pod 1 where sufficient space was not provided between beds and improper hand hygiene (26). Overall, Maragakis et al. (2008) believe that the organism was spread by transient carriage on the hands of healthcare personnel or on contaminated endotracheal respiratory care equipment.

In Vienna, Austria, another outbreak of S. marcescens was detected in a NICU between October 1, 2000, and February 28, 2001. After eight patients were found to be colonized with the bacterium, the NICU was closed on December 27 for 10 days; to implement infection control measures and thoroughly disinfect the care unit. The primary case had septicemia with S. marcescens and after analysis of risk factors this neonate was suspected to have acquired the bacterium from his mother, who was treated 9 days with cefuroxime as a prophylactic treatment to avoid chorioamnionitis (inflammation of fetus) and intrauterine infection of the neonate after premature rupture of the membrane (1). A second case located next to the primary case also was infected with S. marcescens conjunctivitis. All strains of S. marcescens were biologically identical, containing no pigmentation and were sensitive to imipenem S, cefotaxin R, cefpirom S, gentamicin S, amikacin S, trimethoprim S, and ciprofloxacin S. However, two cases were identified after the unit was closed and differed from the previous S. marcescens strains due to their red pigmentation and susceptibility of all antibiotics. To summarize, affected neonates may have spread the infection via horizontal transmission by healthcare workers and mothers may have been exposed to antibiotics that caused overgrowth of resistant organisms. This rapid spreading infection was halted at an early stage with aggressive infection control measures(1).

Cases in Animals

Perez et al. (2011) reports nonhospital-acquired S. marcescens bacteria in a 12 year old male Dalmatian dog. The owners observed symptoms of a head tilt to the right, falling to the left, and nystagmus (involuntary eye movements). The primary veterinarian diagnosed the dog with canine idiopathic vestibular disease which affects neurological pathways. Five days later, the vestibular signs continued in the untreated dog along with vomiting. The dog was re-evaluated for a heart murmur and fever and referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University for additional diagnostic evaluation. An echocardiography found lesions on the aortic valve causing abnormal growth which was diagnosed as aortic valve endocarditis. Blood samples collected from different anatomical sites resulted in negative detection of Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis antibodies, and Diofilaria immitis antigen. Subsequently, the dog was treated with amplicillin, sulbactam, and doxycycline antibiotics. In conjunction, famotidine and metoclopramide were administerd for the vomiting. Despite aggressive therapy for congestive heart failure, the dog failed to respond to antimicrobials, developed opisthotonus (body frame forms a reverse bow due to severe spasms and hyperextension), and died within six hours after admission. Necropsy confirmed aortic valve endocarditis and were consistent with heart failure and septicemia. The blood samples returned in less than 12 hours, yielding a heavy growth of a pure culture of S. marcescens. This bacterium was resistant to the treatment antibiotics, however; it was susceptible to quinolones, third generation cephalosporins, imipenem, and aminoglycosides. This case of S. marcescens accumulated rapidly within the dog who was not hospitalized prior to infection. Thus, the dog acquired this infection in a community-related setting (31).

Many other animal related cases have been described in hospital practices. For instance, six dogs were infected and this was the first documentation of nosocomial Serratia spp septicemia in 1973. Prior to Serratia spp septicemia diagnosis, all six dogs were previously diagnosed with debilitating diseases and later developed a fever under intensive hospital care with an indwelling jugular catheter (31, 41). Although, the source of infection was not determined in these six cases, subsequent studies found that the high prevalence of S. marcescens in hospital related cases were due to contaminated benzalkonium chloride sponge pots used as an antiseptic.

A study from South Africa isolated 22 IV catheters from 100 dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Only 2 catheters tested positive for S. marcescens (22, 31). In another case, a Doberman Pinscher underwent a tooth extraction and later developed fatal necrotizing fasciitis in association with S. marcescens. It was suggested that the bacteria was transmitted in the oral surgery by skin contamination at injection sites (31, 33).

During the winter of 1952, a herd of twenty-four milking cattle were housed in a conventional type barn, where a mild outbreak of mastitis due to haemolytic Staphylococcus aureus occurred. In this community setting, they also isolated S. marcescens from incubated milk. The cows’ symptoms included swelling of the gland and visibly abnormal milk clots. The organism was found to be susceptible to four or five grams of neomycin and was eliminated over a three day period (3).

Research

Many treatment methods have been limited by the emergence of multiple drug-resistant strains of S. marcescens. In one study, resveratrol (RSV; trans-3,5,4’-trihydroxystilbene) was studied to see if it has in vivo prophylactic or therapeutic potential in which it could possibly prevent and treat S. marcescens infections. RSV has many diverse biological effects including anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-diabetics, and cancer chemoprevention. Chia-Chen Lu et al. (2008) evaluated the effects of RSV against pneumonia which is an infection characterized by cough with sputum production, high fever, and mortality of different degrees. The body initiates a response to the build-up of infectious particles by using alveolar macrophages (AV) to synthesize and secrete a wide array of pro-inflammatory proteins (cytokines and chemokines) in the cell. Rats were used as a model system to study acute pneumonia induced by instillation of S. marcescens. Results showed that RSV pretreatment for 3 days increased AM infiltration, elevated NK cell activity, decreased bacterial load in lungs, and overall decreased mortality rate. Therefore, these results suggest that RVS might be beneficial as a preventative measure against patients with S. marcescens-induced acute pneumonia (23).

Li et al. (2011) studied S. marcescens isolated from an edible cactus plant and silkworms to evaluate the effects of the bactericidal activity of chitosan. Chitosan is industrially obtained by N-deactylation of shrimp and crapshell chitin. Previously, chitosan has shown a potential to control bacterial septicemic disease of silkworms caused by S. marcescens ( 19, 20). Along with chitosan being useful as a pharmaceutical agent in biomedicine, it is also useful as an antimicrobial compound in agriculture, a potential elicitor of plant defense responses, an additive in the food industry, and a hydrating agent in cosmetics. Chitosan exhibits antimicrobial activity against fungi, algae, and some bacteria. The antimicrobial uses of chitosan need to be further studied in depth because differences in its derivatives are affected by the degree of deacetylation, the molecular weight, the ionic strength, the pH, and the temperature (9). Li et al. (2011) conducted further research to examine the activity of chitosan against plant species affected with S. marcescens. Strong antimicrobial activity of chitosan was shown against plant associated S. marcescens. This research of chitosan will be useful in the control of contaminated fruit and vegetable products since the infected plant strain may play a possible role in human and animal food sources(19).

Conclusion

S. marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen causing a plethora of nosocomial infections in humans and some cases have been reported in animals. Many strains have become resistant to a variety of drugs. Future research, should evaluate different measures to prevent outbreaks of Serratia marcescens by evaluating antibiotics and the mode of entry into the bacterium. Pathogenic pathways should be more fully defined to understand how resistant S. marcescens infections may become vulnerable to different treatment methods.

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Edited by Brittany Currey,student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 238 Microbiology, 2011, Kenyon College.