Babies infected with dangerous bowel germs

Renewed case of contagion on neonatal ward in Freiburg
Yet again germs on the preemie ward: As reported by the news agency "dpa", new cases of infections with a dangerous intestinal germ of the genus "Serratia" have appeared on the neonatal intensive care unit of the University Hospital Freiburg. However, the number of affected children and the extent of the disease is not yet known, the statement said. At a press conference in the early afternoon, hospital hygienists, ICUs, and microbiologists would provide more details about the case.

Serratia occur mainly in the intestines of humans and animals
Once again it has come in a neonatal intensive care unit to a contamination with dangerous intestinal bacteria. According to a report of the "dpa" so far, however, only known that it is a bacterium of the genus "Serratia". These are Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria belonging to the enterobacteria family. They occur mainly in the intestinal flora of humans and animals, but also in the environment such. in soil, water or food.

Preemies are particularly susceptible to infection with germs. (Picture: Tobilander / fotolia.com)

Normally, serratia are harmless, but in immunocompromised people the pathogen can become dangerous, e.g. lead to a urinary tract infection, pneumonia or sepsis (blood poisoning). Accordingly, they are a major problem especially in intensive care units or in children's hospitals.

Berlin Charité reported several months ago, several Serratia infections
Only in the spring, the germ Serratia marcescens was detected in the Berlin Charité hospital in four newborns, all of which survived the infection well. As early as 2012, an outbreak of Serratia pathogens had come to the premature infants ward of the Berlin hospital. At that time 21 children were affected, an infected baby died. Other clinics have reported dangerous infections in recent years. In 2011, for example, three premature babies died in the center of Bremen-Mitte due to so-called antibiotic-resistant ESBL adhesives. One year later, two more deaths from the ESBL germs occurred at the same ward. (No)