Published online Nov 6, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i21.3535
Peer-review started: March 11, 2019
First decision: April 18, 2019
Revised: May 15, 2019
Accepted: July 27, 2019
Article in press: July 27, 2019
Published online: November 6, 2019
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae has become a significant public health concern as hospital outbreaks are now being frequently reported and these organisms are becoming difficult to treat with the available antibiotics.
An outbreak of VIM-producing Serratia marcescens occurred over a period of 11 wk (August, 1 to October, 18) in patients admitted to the adult polyvalent intensive care unit of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” located in Naples. Four episodes occurred in three patients (two patients infected, and one patient colonized). All the strains revealed the production of VIM.
After three decades of carbapenem antibiotics use, the emergence of carbapenem-resistance in Enterobacteriaceae has become a significant concern and a stricter control to preserve its clinical application is mandatory. This is, to our knowledge, the first outbreak of VIM-producing Serratia marcescens in Europe. Surveillance policies must be implemented to avoid future outbreaks.
Core Tip: An outbreak of VIM-producing Serratia marcescens occurred in patients admitted to the adult polyvalent intensive care unit of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” located in Naples. All the strains revealed the production of VIM. After three decades of carbapenem antibiotics use, the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae has become a significant concern and is mandatory a stricter control to preserve its clinical application. This is, to our knowledge, the first outbreak of VIM-producing Serratia marcescens occurred in a European hospital.