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Published on: June 4, 2012

A fatal case of infective endocarditis caused by an unusual suspect: Serratia marcescens

Yoshiro Hadano1, Toru Kamiya, Norimichi Uenishi

  • 1Department of General Internal Medicine, Rakuwakai Otowa Hospital, Japan. hatayoshiyoshi@yahoo.co.jp

Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|June 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Serratia marcescens infective endocarditis is rare in non-drug users. This case highlights a fatal outcome in an elderly diabetic patient with cerebral infarctions.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Serratia marcescens endocarditis is uncommon in non-intravenous drug users.
  • Elderly patients and those with comorbidities like diabetes are susceptible to severe infections.

Observation:

  • An 85-year-old woman with diabetes presented with fever and fatigue after receiving intravenous prednisolone for Bell's palsy.
  • Blood cultures identified Serratia marcescens, leading to complications of multiple cerebral infarctions.

Findings:

  • Transthoracic echocardiography confirmed mitral valve vegetation, diagnosing infective endocarditis.
  • The patient developed multiple cerebral infarctions, precluding surgical intervention.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for Serratia marcescens to cause severe infective endocarditis in non-traditional risk groups.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial, though outcomes can be poor in complicated cases, especially in the elderly.

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