Contraindication for Use of Serratia marcescens as Tracer Organisms in Research

¹ Veterans Administration Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee

The following points in this paper are summarized in these conclusions:

1. Our profession is faced with the problem of increased aerosol in the dental operating field because of the handpieces.

2. The literature and terminology of S. marcescens Bizio were reviewed.

3. The tracer organism S. marcescens used as an adjunct in aerosol research has been found more pathogenic than was currently thought.

4. This organism is capable of producing human infection ranging in severity from minor skin and respiratory infections to fatal septicemia.

5. Instrumentation in the genitourinary tract is associated with the greatest incidence of infection; the respiratory tract is second in importance.

6. Serratia marcescens is resistant to sulfa drugs and to most antibiotics.

7. The only effective antibiotics against this microorganism are kanamycin sulfate and neomycin sulfate.

8. Use of S. marcescens as a tracer in aerosol studies is open to serious doubt.