Serratia

Serratia /Ser·ra·tia/ (sĕ-ra´she-ah) a genus of bacteria (tribe Serratieae) made up of gram-negative rods which produce a red pigment. For the most part, they are free-living saprophytes, but they cause a variety of infections in immunocompromised patients.

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Serratia

[serā′shə]

Etymology: L, serra, saw teeth

a genus of opportunistic motile, gram-negative bacilli from the family Enterobacteriaceae tribe Klebsielleae capable of causing infection in humans, including bacteremia, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. Serratia organisms are frequently acquired in hospitals. See also nosocomial infection.

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serrated (ser´āted),

adj having a jagged or notched edge; saw-toothed.

Serratia

n a genus of motile, gram-negative bacilli capable of causing infection, including bacteremia, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections, in humans.

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Serratia

gram-negative, flagellated rods, members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, found commonly in water, soil and food and only occasionally in pathological specimens. S. marcescens and S. liquefaciens are rare causes of bovine mastitis. See Table 16.

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Serratia rubidaea

a nonpathogen sometimes used as a marker because of the red colonies it produces.