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[Metastatic Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis].
1Dept. of Ophthalmology, Golda Medical Center, Hasharon Hospital, Petah Tikva.
Harefuah
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Metastatic Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis occurred in a diabetic woman following leg amputation. This serious eye infection, caused by septic emboli, proved refractory to antibiotics, necessitating evisceration.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- A 57-year-old diabetic female patient with peripheral vascular disease underwent above-knee amputation.
- Post-operative infection at the surgical stump was identified as Serratia marcescens (SM).
Observation:
- Septic emboli from the infected stump metastasized to the patient's right eye and lungs.
- This resulted in the development of endophthalmitis and pneumonia.
Findings:
- The Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis was refractory to standard antibiotic treatment.
- Surgical intervention (evisceration) was ultimately required due to the non-responsive ocular infection.
Implications:
- Serratia marcescens can cause severe, antibiotic-refractory endophthalmitis.
- Aggressive and prompt treatment is crucial when SM is identified in any infected site to prevent metastatic complications.