Resumen

HERVE, Beatrice et al. Outbreak due to Serratia marcescens associated with intrinsic contamination of aqueous chlorhexidine. Rev. chil. infectol. [online]. 2015, vol.32, n.5, pp.517-522. ISSN 0716-1018.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0716-10182015000600004.

Serratia marcescens is a widely distributed gram-negative rod, often associated to nosocomial infections. Some outbreaks linked to contaminated antiseptic solutions have been reported. In this study we report a nosocomial outbreak of surgical site infection and catheter insertion site infection due to S. marcescens. 33 patients with positive cultures were studied after an index case was identified. Epidemiological, microbiological and molecular analysis demostrated an intrinsic contamination of alcohol free chlorhexidine solution as causal factor. Positive cultures were associated with 13 clinical infections, 9 colonized patients, 6 pseudobacteremia episodes and 5 patients without documented exposure. Hospital and national recall of contaminated chlorhexidine solution was performed after this study. Intrinsic contamination of antiseptic solutions is an infrequent cause of nosocomial infections with major epidemiological relevance.

Palabras clave : Serratia marcescens; nosocomial outbreak; intrinsic contamination; chlorhexidine.

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