The History of Serratia
Serratia, also called Serratia marcescens, is a bacteria that appears pink or red during its metabolic phase. Though not considered dangerous or highly infectious, it has for centuries played a significant role in the life of mankind.
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Ancient History
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The earliest record of Serratia is in early Greek and Roman history. During this time, when the bacteria attacked a starch and caused a bloody appearance on the surface, it was considered a sign from the gods, and of a coming destiny.
Middle Ages
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During the Middle Ages, there are accounts of the host wafer, or communion bread, turning bloody. This Serratia infection was seen as an act of vandalism, and was blamed on the Jews. The misunderstanding of the phenomenon led to the execution of Jews in Europe during the 1300s and 1500s.
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Identification
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In 1819, the bacteria that causes bloody manifestations was named by Bartolomeo Bizio, an Italian pharmacist. He named it Serratia after the Italian physicist who invented the steamboat, and marcescens for the Latin word "decay," because the bloody coloration vanishes nearly as quickly as it appears.
Educational Use
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In the early 1900s, Serratia was commonly used in school science experiments, especially when studying bacteria transmission, because it was believed to be harmless.
Military Testing
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In the 1950s, the American military conducted a number of biological warfare trials using Serratia bacteria. During Operation Sea-Spray, a significant amount of the bacteria was spread in the San Francisco area to see how wind and waves affect the dispersal of bacterium.
Disease
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In the 1960s, Serratia was classified as an "opportunistic human pathogen." Since the 1970s, it has been connected to both respiratory and urinary tract infections.
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