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Cerebral abscess caused by Serratia marcescens in a premature neonate

Tatiana Mattos Hirooka1, Ricardo Braganca de Vasconcellos Fontes, Edna Maria Diniz

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|December 21, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Neonatal cerebral abscesses caused by Serratia marcescens are rare but serious. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive antibiotic treatment are crucial for positive outcomes in affected infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Cerebral abscesses are exceptionally rare in neonates.
  • Serratia marcescens is an uncommon pathogen causing sepsis, with neurological involvement being a grave sign.

Observation:

  • A 34-week premature male neonate presented with respiratory distress syndrome, early sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis.
  • Cultures eventually identified Serratia marcescens.
  • The neonate's condition deteriorated, leading to the diagnosis of a cerebral abscess caused by Serratia marcescens.

Findings:

  • Treatment with high-dose amikacin and meropenem led to clinical improvement.
  • Cerebral abscesses in neonates present with non-specific clinical signs.

Implications:

  • Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for managing neonatal cerebral abscesses.
  • Neurosurgical consultation and aggressive antibiotic therapy are essential for high-risk neonates.
  • This case highlights the importance of considering unusual pathogens like Serratia marcescens in neonatal sepsis with neurological complications.

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