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Babies in Freiburg University Hospital infected with intestinal germ
Two infants have been infected with the dangerous bacterium Serratia marcescens in the newborn intensive care unit of the University Hospital Freiburg. In addition, according to a recent communication from the hospital at a further six preemies a colonization with the germ was found. Serrations occur in many people in the intestine and are usually not a risk. In immunocompromised patients such as immature premature babies or critically ill newborns, however, the bacteria can cause life-threatening infections. However, according to the university hospital, the two infected children are not in mortal danger.
Six more children colonized with Serratia
Again, intestinal germs were detected on a pediatric ward. As the University Hospital of Freiburg reports, had infested in the intensive care unit for premature babies two babies with the bacterium Serratia marcescens, so the message. The first infection was therefore already occurred in mid-October. However, this could be treated with antibiotics accordingly, so that the affected child could be released in the meantime. However, weekly intensive care unit examinations revealed that the skin of another six premature babies was colonized with serratia - without the children having any disease.
In the university hospital, several children have become infected with intestinal germs. Especially for immunocompromised newborns and preemies, the pathogens pose a risk. (Image: Tobilander / fotolia.com) Germ was initially considered a fought
As a result, according to the report of the clinic "extensive hygiene measures" were initiated. It has been ensured that populated and unaffected children are cared for and looked after by separate, specially trained teams. In addition, extensive investigations of the environment such as. faucets and infusion bottles. The measures initially seemed to be combating the germ, explained the hygiene officer of the Center for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Philipp Henneke, to the news agency "dpa". However, on November 3 and 4, a second infection with serratia was detected in a premature baby in the neonatal intensive care unit, the clinic reports.
Second intensive care unit for newborns opened
Although the child was reported to have responded "very well to antibiotics", despite the more stringent hygiene measures, renewed infection could not be ruled out. It is not uncommon for bacteria to be found on children, said the director of Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, Dr. Hans Fox. But it would be dangerous if the germ spreads to others within the station. To prevent this, the clinic now opened a second intensive care unit for newborns. This should be maintained until all affected children are dismissed, tells the clinic.
Parents can continue to visit their children
Accordingly, the measures introduced did not prevent the admission of premature babies. In addition, the parents of the current small patients at the ward were informed from the start and could continue to visit their children, Dr. Hans Fuchs continues. In total, eleven premature babies are currently being treated at the ward, with the unaffected being spatially separated. "We are confident that the expansion can be mastered through our consistent actions," says Professor Dr. med. J. Rüdiger Siewert, Senior Medical Director of the University Medical Center Freiburg.
Again and again dangerous infections by hospital germs
The so-called "serratia" are gram-negative rod bacteria belonging to the enterobacteriaceae family. They occur mainly in the intestinal flora of humans and animals, but also in the environment such. in soil, water or food. Normally, serrations do not present a risk, but in immunocompromised individuals, the pathogen can become dangerous, e.g. Cause respiratory infections, pneumonia or sepsis (blood poisoning). Accordingly, they are a major problem especially in intensive care units or in children's hospitals.
Only in the spring, the germ Serratia marcescens was detected in the Berlin Charité hospital in four newborns. Already in 2012 there had come to an outbreak of which 21 children were affected, an infected baby died. Other clinics have also reported dangerous infections in recent years: In 2011, for example, three premature babies in the center of Bremen-Bremen died from so-called "antibiotic-resistant ESBL adhesives." One year later, two deaths from ESBL germs occurred at the same ward. (No)