Serratia Marcescens is Inactivated by Germicidal UV-C Light

What is Serratia Marcescens?

Serratia marcescens is a bacterium that is considered a healthcare-associated pathogen. On rare occasion, it has been known to cause outbreaks of hospital infection. It appears as a pink, orange, or red discoloration. Residing in water, it thrives in damp environmentsopen_in_new such as medical solutions, lotions, antiseptics, medications, blood products, and sinks. S. marcescens can cause infections in the urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, and surgical wound sites.

The “hospital environment,” including sinks and surfaces, is increasingly recognized as a reservoir for bacterial species, clones, and plasmids of high epidemiological concern.
—ASM Journal article on Serratia in ICU settingsopen_in_new

Where is it Found?

Shower tile showing bacteria in grout — Damp Environments

IV hanging in hospital room — Medical Solutions

What Does it Infect?

Woman with urinary tract infection from Serratia marcescens — Urinary Tract

Man with lungs and upper respiratory tract showing — Lower Respiratory Tract

Leg with surgical wound, infected with Serratia marcescens — Surgical Wounds

How Does it Spread?

Woman using faucet in public bathroom — Contaminated Environments

Doctor with needle, about to inject into IV port on arm — Contaminated Liquids & Instruments

Preventing the Spread of S. Marcescens

Serratia marcescens is thought to be spread by hand-to-hand transmissionopen_in_new of hospital personnel. Artificial nailsopen_in_new exposed to the contaminated liquids and environments described above have also been known to harbor the bacteria. Hand hygiene is the most important component in preventing infection. Since S. marcescens is commonly found growing in bathroomsopen_in_new (especially on tile grout, shower corners, toilet water lines, and basins), sanitation of these areas can also help prevent its spread.

Since the late 1960s, a tremendous number of nosocomial outbreaks attributed to S. marcescens have been described for adult patients . . . Outbreaks have occurred in medical wards and medical ICUs, a hepatologic intensive care unit, various surgery units and wards, including cardiac, urology, and neurosurgery wards, dialysis units, obstetric wards, bone marrow transplant and oncology units, a pulmonary ward, a gastrointestinal disease ward, neurology wards, and an outpatient pain clinic.
—ASM Journal article on Serratia infectionsopen_in_new

Get More Protection with UV Disinfection

In addition to the above preventative measures, Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV-C) surface disinfection can inactivate Serratia bacteria in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and clinics.

Since the CDC’s water management guidelinesopen_in_new list this opportunistic pathogen one that can spread in building water systems, facility-wide UV water disinfection should be installed to guard against this possibility. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.

Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See dosage data below.

Several applications for UV water and surface disinfection of Serratia marcescens

Serratia Marcescens : Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation

Organism:	Alternate Name:	Type:	*UV Dose:**
Serratia marcescens	S. marcescens	Bacteria	6.160 mJ/cm²

* Nominal germicidal UV dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganism. See sources below.

People at High Risk for Contracting an Infection

Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen, producing infection whenever it gains access to a suitably compromised host. Hospital patients most at risk include:

Individuals with debilitating or immunocompromising disorders
People treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics
ICU patients who are subjected to invasive instrumentation such as intravenous catheters, intraperitoneal catheters, or urinary catheters
Individuals with prior instrumentation of the respiratory tract

Symptoms of an S. marcescens Infection

Due to the reality that Serratia marcescens can cause infections in several different areas of the body (urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, bloodstream, or the sites of surgical wounds), symptoms will vary greatly. A Serratia infection can also lead to meningitis or endocarditis.

Sources on Serratia marcescens:

The above information can be found on the following pages.

Dosage Source

Sensitivity of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses, and Other Microorganisms to Ultraviolet Radiation. Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 126, Article No. 126021. August 20, 2021.

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