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Population-based laboratory surveillance for Serratia species isolates in a large Canadian health region

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Abstract

A population-based laboratory surveillance was conducted during a six-year period to define the incidence, demographic risk factors for acquisition, and anti-microbial susceptibilities of Serratia species isolates. A total of 715 incident Serratia species isolates were identified for an annual incidence of 10.8 per 100,000 residents; bacteremic disease occurred in 0.9 per 100,000 residents annually. The incidence increased with advancing age and males were at the highest risk. Ninety-two percent of the isolates were Serratia marcescens, and the majority (65%) of incident Serratia species isolates were of community onset. Ninety-five percent of isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, 98% to gentamicin, 98% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and >99% to imipenem. No yearly increase in resistance was observed. Serratia species isolation is most commonly of community onset and older patients and males are at increased risk. Despite reports of increasing resistance among Serratia species, the incidence in our region remains at a low stable rate.

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Acknowledgments

No external financial support was obtained for this study. None of the authors had financial, professional, or personal competing interests that would influence the conduct or reporting of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Calgary Health Region, Calgary, AB, Canada

    K. B. Laupland, M. D. Parkins, D. B. Gregson & D. L. Church

  2. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary and Calgary Health Region, Calgary, AB, Canada

    K. B. Laupland, D. B. Gregson, D. L. Church & J. D. D. Pitout

  3. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    K. B. Laupland

  4. Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    J. D. D. Pitout

  5. Division of Microbiology, Calgary Laboratory Services, Calgary, AB, Canada

    D. B. Gregson, D. L. Church, T. Ross & J. D. D. Pitout

  6. Centre for Anti-Microbial Resistance, University of Calgary, Calgary Health Region, and Calgary Laboratory Services, Calgary, AB, Canada

    K. B. Laupland & T. Ross

  7. Foothills Medical Centre, Room 719, North Tower, Room 1W-415, #9, 3535 Research Road NW, Calgary, AB, T2L 2K8, Canada

    K. B. Laupland

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  1. K. B. Laupland
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Correspondence to K. B. Laupland.

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Laupland, K.B., Parkins, M.D., Gregson, D.B. et al. Population-based laboratory surveillance for Serratia species isolates in a large Canadian health region. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 27, 89–95 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-007-0400-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-007-0400-7

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