Performance

Serratiaspecies are implicated in nosocomial infections. In several countries,Serratia marcescensis frequently associated with epidemics in intensive care units and in particular in neonatal and pediatric units. Surveillance of nosocomial infections requires effective recovery of clinical isolates from faeces, wound exudates and respiratory samples to prevent problems of cross infection and potentially fatal infections. In this context, CHROMagar™ has developed CHROMagar™ Serratia, a culture medium perfectly suited to the search forS. marcescensin faeces.

In addition,S. marcescensis able to survive days to months on surfaces, distilled water and hand soap, making it an important pathogen in nosocomial infections and sporadic epidemics.

Intended Use

CHROMagar™ Serratia is a selective and differential chromogenic culture medium, intended for use in the qualitative direct detection of colonization withSerratia marcescensto aid in the prevention and control ofSerratia marcescensin intensive care unit (ICU), notably neo-natal. The test is performed with rectal swabs, throat swabs, wound swabs and stools from patients to screen forSerratiacolonization. It can also be used in hygiene monitoring in the clinical environment with surface sampling. Results can be interpreted after 18-24 h of aerobic incubation at 35-37 °C.

CHROMagar™ Serratia is not intended to diagnoseSerratiainfection nor to guide nor monitor treatment for infections. A lack of growth or the absence of colonies on CHROMagar™ Serratia does not preclude the presence ofSerratia.Further identification, susceptibility testing, and epidemiological typing is needed on suspect colonies.