[The clinical significance of Serratia infections during the post-operative course (author's transl)].

A series of 25 cases of Serratia infections, during the period from november 1977 through aptile 1978, is reported. Serratia isolates were identified with increasing frequency from urine, surgical incisions and blood. All the patients had received antimicrobial therapy prior to the time Serratia was first isolated. These patients (92%) had had indwelling urinary catheters inserted during the post-operative course and Serratia was isolated predominantly from the urinary tract. In 3 patients who died, Serratia played a role in the ultimate demise of the patient. Prophylaxix and antimicrobial therapy are discussed.