Outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections following injection of betamethasone compounded at a community pharmacy.

Background: In June 2001, following the report of 4 patients with Serratia marcescens meningitis who received epidural injections of betamethasone compounded at a community pharmacy, we initiated an outbreak investigation.

Methods: All patients who received injections of betamethasone from the production lot common to the 4 patients were evaluated. A case patient was defined as a patient who received compounded betamethasone and had S.