Serratia rubidaea

An aerobic gram-negative bacillus that grows readily on most microbiological media producing a red (prodigiosin) colony. Pigment production occurs between 12oC and 36oC. It is capable of growth between 4oC and 37oC with some isolates capable of growth at 40oC. It produces a fishy-urinary odor (trimethylalamine). It can be isolated from food, plants including ripe coconuts, soil, fresh and salt water. It has been isolated in the clinical laboratory from human blood, wounds, respiratory tract and feces, however, its role in disease is not fully understood.

Back to Glossary Index Page