Antimicrobial resistance of Serratia marcescens causing blood stream infections in a large University Hospital in Bulgaria, an 8-year analysis (2016–2023)

The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of invasive isolates of Serratia marcescens, associated with blood stream infections (BSIs) in patients hospitalized in Varna University Hospital, Bulgaria, as well as to identify the genetic mechanisms responsible for 3rd generation cephalosporin and carbapenem-resistance among these isolates. A total of 45 consecutive S. marcescens isolates, obtained from blood cultures of 45 patients with BSIs, hospitalized during an 8-year period (2016-2023) were included. Species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were done by Phoenix (BD, USA) and Vitek 2 (BioMerieux, France) systems and the results were interpreted according to EUCAST guidelines. The genetic mechanisms of beta-lactam resistance were studied by PCR. During the study period, a total of 45 patients were diagnosed with S. marcescens-associated BSIs. All infections were defined as nosocomial, predominantly intensive care unit-acquired (42.2%) and 28.8% were central venous catheter-associated. The following antimicrobial resistance rates were found: ceftriaxone, piperacillin/tazobactam, 57.8%; ceftazidime, 55.6%; cefepime, trimethoprime/sulfamethoxazole, 53.3%; gentamicin, 48.8%; ciprofloxacin, 44.5%; amikacin, 15.6%; carbapenems, 2.2%. The blaCTX-M was identified in 88.9% of the tested 3rd generation cephalosporin resistant isolates. Among these, 50% were also blaTEM positive. The single carbapenem-resistant isolate harboured blaKPC, blaCTX-M1/9, blaCMY-2 and blaTEM. This study demonstrates S. marcescens as a problematic nosocomial pathogen and we report a KPC-producing S. marcescens clinical isolate from a BSI in Bulgaria.