Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
06:34
Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS
Published on: July 11, 2016
Serratia marcescens: an unusual pathogen associated with snakebite cellulitis
Parimala Subramani1, Gokul Bindiganavile Narasimhamurthy, Bhaskaran Ashokan
1Department of Microbiology, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Tamaka, Kolar, India . mjchand@gmail.com
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
|February 19, 2013
Summary
A Serratia marcescens infection complicated a snakebite, causing cellulitis and necrosis. Prompt treatment with anti-snake venom and antibiotics led to a full recovery.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Toxicology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Snakebites can lead to secondary bacterial infections.
- Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen.
- Cellulitis and tissue necrosis are potential complications of envenomation.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old woman presented with a snakebite on her right hand.
- Symptoms included envenomation, swelling, cellulitis, and tissue necrosis.
- Pus and tissue biopsy cultures identified Serratia marcescens.
Findings:
- The isolated Serratia marcescens was susceptible to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, third-generation cephalosporins, and carbapenems.
- The patient received anti-snake venom (ASV) therapy and ciprofloxacin.
- Local wound management was also administered.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of monitoring for and treating secondary bacterial infections after snakebites.
- Serratia marcescens can be a causative agent in severe post-snakebite infections.
- Multimodal treatment including ASV, targeted antibiotics, and wound care is crucial for favorable outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a...
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
01:25Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) encompasses several progressive stages, beginning with bacterial colonization and culminating in potential systemic complications if untreated. UTIs are primarily initiated by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, which often originate from the gastrointestinal tract and migrate to the urinary system through the periurethral area. This migration can occur via several routes, including improper hygiene practices, sexual activity, or...
01:30Reservoir of Infection
Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...