Aspectos microbiológicos de la colonización/infección respiratoria causada por Serratia marcescens: a propósito de un caso

Microbiological aspects of colonization/respiratory infection caused by Serratia marcescens: about a case

Resumen

The case report describes the arrival of a tracheal aspirate sample from a male patient with a history of prior treatment with carbapenems and colistin for several days. The sample was sown, among other media, on Mac Conkey agar and the presence of two types of colonies was identified, one of which produced an intense red pigment. Identification was made using the VITEK 2 identification system, revealing the presence of Serratia marcescens and Acinetobacter baumannii complex in the sample. The importance of adequate antimicrobial identification and use in the investigation of respiratory infections caused by intrinsically resistant bacteria such as Serratia marcescens and Acinetobacter baumannii is emphasized. In addition, resistance to antibiotics and the possible derepression of inducible AmpC-type β-lactamases during treatment are discussed. The presence of pseudohemoptysis and the production of prodigiosin by Serratia marcescens may be useful in the identification and management of respiratory infections.