Fatal Serratia marcescens meningitis and myocarditis in a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter

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Published on: June 24, 2025

J S Johnson1, J Croall, J S Power

  • 1Department of Histopathology, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK.

Journal of Clinical Pathology
|February 19, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Serratia marcescens in catheter urine is often a contaminant. However, this case shows it can cause fatal septicaemia, meningitis, and myocarditis, especially in elderly patients with chronic conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Pathology

Background:

  • Serratia marcescens is frequently found in catheterized patients' urine.
  • It's often dismissed as contamination if no symptoms are present.

Observation:

  • An 83-year-old male with an indwelling urinary catheter and chronic conditions had Serratia marcescens isolated from urine.
  • The patient later developed fatal septicaemia with meningitis, brain abscesses, and myocarditis.

Findings:

  • Serratia marcescens can be a virulent pathogen, not just a contaminant.
  • Risk factors include old age, prior antibiotic use, and chronic illness.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider Serratia marcescens' pathogenic potential in at-risk patients, even without symptoms.
  • Careful assessment of catheter urine is crucial for identifying serious infections.

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