[Serratia, cause of nosocomial infections and its occurrence in the patient's environment (author's transl)].

The Serratia infections are increasing in hospitalized patients, especially in those with reduced defences. This paper deals with a review of the recent literature on the microbiological characterization of the different Serratia species, the clinical syndrome associated with Serratia infections and the mode of transmission of this opportunistic pathogen. This author's experience in the occurrenceof Serratia in the hospital environment and their sensitivity to antibiotics and disinfectants is presented. The prevention of this infection stemps from these epidemiological data and, above all, consists in application of adequate hospital hygiene measures.