An unusual cause of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are crucial for managing hydrocephalus.
• Infections associated with VP shunt implantation pose significant clinical challenges.
• Serratia marcescens, a gram-negative anaerobic rod, is an uncommon cause of VP shunt infections, often linked to abdominal pathology.

Observation:

• This study presents two cases of VP shunt infection.
• The causative agent identified in both cases was Serratia marcescens.
• Neither patient had any identifiable underlying abdominal disease, a deviation from typical presentations.

Findings:

• Successful treatment of VP shunt infection caused by Serratia marcescens was achieved in both patients.
• The treatment approach effectively managed the infection despite the absence of predisposing abdominal conditions.
• This highlights the possibility of treating S. marcescens VP shunt infections even in atypical cases.

Implications:

• The findings suggest that VP shunt infections with Serratia marcescens can occur and be successfully treated without underlying abdominal disease.
• This expands the understanding of S. marcescens VP shunt infections and their management.
• Clinicians should consider S. marcescens in the differential diagnosis of VP shunt infections, even in the absence of typical risk factors.