The good news is Serratia marcescens is mostly harmless. Touching it while you're showering or cleaning won't cause any problems (in rare cases it can cause infections through open wounds or the eye).
Cutaneous manifestations of S. marcessens infections have been reported as ulcer, abscess, granulomatous and nodular skin lesions [2].
More recently, Serratia marcescens has been found to be pathogenic to a small percentage of people, having been identified as a cause of urinary tract infections, wound infections, and pneumonia in hospital environments.
S. marcescens bacteria is known to cause a variety of different types of human infections, including: urinary tract infections (UTIs), respiratory tract infections, conjunctivitis, tear duct infections, and keratitis. Although extremely rare, it can also cause pneumonia and meningitis.
Transmission is by direct contact. Droplets of S. marcescens have been found growing on catheters, and in supposedly sterile solutions. Contaminated intravenous pain control fluids were the course of an outbreak of S.
A very easy homemade mixture that you can use to clean Serratia marcescens is baking soda mixed with dish detergent (a 4:1 ratio works best). After rinsing this mixture off, continue cleaning with vinegar. Let this soak and then clean and rinse.
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: S. marcescens may survive from 3 days to 2 month on dry, inanimate surfaces, and 5 weeks on dry floor 16.
The main risk factors for bacteraemia/sepsis which is caused by Serratia is hospitalization, placement of intravenous catheters, intraperitoneal catheters and urinary catheters and prior instrumentation of the respiratory tract [2–5].
Conclusions: Treatment of SM infections should include carbapenems or aminoglycosides in combination with third-generation (and eventually fourth-generation) cephalosporin. Cotrimoxazole should be considered in cases of uncomplicated urinary infections.
Symptoms may include fever, frequent urination, dysuria, pyuria, or pain upon urination. In 90% of cases, patients have a history of recent surgery or instrumentation of the urinary tract.
Serratia is usually treated with antibiotics, but it is naturally resistant to several common antibiotics such as ampicillin, macrolides, and first-generation cephalosporins. Antibiotics used to treat Serratia include: Cefepime (Maxipime) Broad-spectrum beta-lactam/Beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations.
What Causes Pink Mold in a Shower? Serratia marcescens and Aureobasidium pullulans are the most common bacteria that cause pink mold in a bathroom. These airborne bacterial species love moist environments like showers, where they feed on minerals and fatty deposits in soap and shampoo residue.
The incidence of skin infections caused by Serratia marcescens is extremely low and such infections are typically observed in immunocompromised patients.
marcescens has been shown to cause a wide range of infectious diseases, including urinary, respiratory, and biliary tract infections, peritonitis, wound infections, and intravenous catheter-related infections, which can also lead to life-threatening bacteremia.
Severe Serratia infection (bacteremia) carries a mortality rate of 26%. Among survivors, the prognosis for complete recovery is good. S marcescens endophthalmitis carries a poor prognosis in terms of maintaining vision.
It produces a fishy-urinary odor (trimethylalamine). It can be isolated from food, soil, water, plants, insects, and sewage. It is a potential pathogen for insects, animals, and humans and is an important cause of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections in humans.
Serratia marcescens love a moist environment but cannot survive in chlorinated water. However, when tap water sits around, like in a toilet bowl, or on grout, or on a shower curtain, the chlorine evaporates and bacteria can take root and multiply, especially if soapy deposits are present which they use as food.
Serratia infections should be treated with an aminoglycoside plus an antipseudomonal beta-lactam, as the single use of a beta-lactam can select for resistant strains.
this various incubation period, the results elucidated that 48 hours incubation showed the highest pigment production in S.
You can find pink mold in the shower, tub, toilet and other places around the bathroom. It's usually not as hazardous to your health as black mold and other fungi, but there are some pink mold dangers, such as urinary tract infections, intestinal problems and in rare cases pneumonia.
'The Pink Stuff paste can be used to remove limescale off of taps and shower heads,' explains Laura Mountford. 'For shower doors or stainless steel that may be more prone to scratching, consider buffing the surfaces with a microfiber cloth and The Pink Stuff multipurpose spray to remove watermarks with ease.
Create a cleaning paste with 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Using a soft bristle brush, apply paste to the bacteria and scrub away the pink film. Rinse. Once the pink is gone, you'll need to disinfect the area.
It is commonly found in the respiratory and urinary tracts of hospitalized adults and in the gastrointestinal systems of children. Due to its abundant presence in the environment, and its preference for damp conditions, S.
The “pink mold” you may find in your shower actually isn't mold, but a very common strain of airborne bacteria that's found throughout the world. The bacteria, Serratia marcescens, cause that pink or even red slime you might find in your shower, toilet bowl, or around other water fixtures.
To kill the bacteria, clean affected surfaces with a strong chlorine bleach solution.