Whole-genome-based analysis reveals multiclone Serratia marcescens outbreaks in a non-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit setting in a tertiary care hospital in India. Issue 4 (6th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rohit, Anusha; Suresh Kumar, D.; Dhinakaran, I.; Joy, Jessy; Vijay Kumar, Deekshit; Kumar Ballamoole, Krishna; Karunasagar, I.; Karola, Prior; Dag, Harmsen
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical microbiology. Volume 68:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 616
• Page End: 621
• Publication Date: 2019-03-06
• Subjects: non-NICU Serratia marcescens -- outbreak investigation -- next generation sequencing; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000947
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2615

Abstract

Abstract : We report the use of next generation sequencing (NGS) for investigating an outbreak of 13 cases of Serratia marcescens blood stream infections in a non-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (non-NICU) setting in a tertiary care hospital in India over 5 months. Thirteen cases of sepsis due to S. marcescens were identified in various Intensive Care Units (ICUs) over 5 months. Environmental surveillance identified isolates in the adult ICU (AICU). Antibiogram did not correlate with timeline. Sequencing libraries were prepared using Nextera XT chemistry (Illumina). Based on NGS, two clusters were identified. Cluster 1 had environmental and clinical isolates from the AICU and cluster 2 were isolates from the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). NICU and Paediatric ICU isolates did not belong to any cluster. Polyclonal outbreaks best identified by NGS can occur simultaneously. Good infection prevention practices like hand hygiene for compounded medicines and surface cleaning helped end the outbreak.