[Serratia marcescens. Cutaneous involvement. Preliminary report]

Three cases of skin infections are reported. The biological examination revealed the presence of gram-negative bacillus Serratus marcescens whose chemical characteristics enabled its identification. Treatment was based on the respective antibiograms, cure being obtained in two patients. The third patient was treated with an antibiotic to which he was not sensible, with the consequent failure. Perusal of the literature at our disposal failed to reveal skin infections due to Serratus marcescens. Thus, in such patients who do not respond to the usual therapy, it is suggested that the Serratus marcescens bacillus be systematically looked for an reported in order to confirm this preliminary publication.