Exclusive: An investigation is underway at the San Maurizo Hospital in Italy after two premature babies tragically passed away after contracting Serratia marcescens
Two babies tragically died within hours at the same hospital due to “lethal” contaminated washing up liquid – and now an expert has warned of the “increasingly multi-antibiotic resistant” threat.
An investigation is underway at the San Maurizo Hospital in Italy following the sad deaths. The two babies, who were premature, contracted Serratia marcescens – a deadly bacterium that easily spreads in hospitals.
The infants, who were born three weeks ago, weighed less than two pounds each at the time of their deaths. One of them was born on the 23rd week of gestation, while the other was born on the 27th.
They sadly passed away on August 12 and August 13. “Unfortunately, the babies later developed sepsis, which later proved fatal,” Hospital director Pierpaolo Bertoli said on Thursday.
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Professor Brendan Wren, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said the “opportunistic” pathogen can be “lethal” for newborn babies.
He told The Mirror: “Serratia marcescens is a bacterium frequently found in water and can persist in hospitals. They are increasingly multi-antibiotic resistant and can survive in diverse environments including dishwashing soap.
“It is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause lethal human infection, particularly for immunocompromised individuals including newborn and premature babies.”
The expert continued: “The presence of this bacterium is not unique because it constantly poses a risk to neonatal intensive care units, not so much because of the type of germ but because of the particular vulnerability of these little patients due to their immature immune systems.”
The latest infection is suspected to be linked to the industrial dish soap, which is used at the hospital in Bolzano. All soap used at the hospital has been recalled.
Hospital director Pierpaolo Bertoli added: “At the Bolzano hospital, we have implemented all preventive measures to prevent the transmission of germs. The ward staff strictly adheres to hygiene measures. Unfortunately, these two cases could not be prevented.”
The hospital is no longer welcoming high-risk premature babies at this time. Any premature babies who were already admitted have been transferred nearly 40 miles away. Police confirmed an investigation is underway.
It comes after woman has become the second suspected victim of contaminated guacamole at a food festival in Sardinia.
Valeria Sollai, 62, died at the Monserrato Policlinico Hospital in Cagliari on Monday after it was believed she had consumed the same guacamole suspected of killing 38-year-old Roberta Pitzalis on August 8.
Meanwhile, several other people needed hospital treatment, including two children who remain in hospital.