A rare occurrence of Serratia rubidaea in a patient with ear discharge

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Clinical Medicine
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Serratia species, part of the Enterobacteriaceae family, are infrequently implicated in human infections compared to more virulent strains.
• While Serratia marcescens is the most common species causing infections, approximately 10 Serratia species are recognized, with others rarely reported in clinical settings.
• Infections due to less common Serratia species are seldom documented, often due to their infrequent isolation from patient samples.

Observation:

• This report details a case of Serratia rubidaea isolated from the ear discharge of a 35-year-old female patient.
• The patient presented with a history of chronic otomastoiditis and had previously undergone a left modified radical mastoidectomy.
• Notably, the patient had no other significant co-morbidities.

Findings:

• The isolation of Serratia rubidaea from clinical specimens, such as ear discharge, is considered rare.
• This finding suggests that Serratia rubidaea can act as an etiological agent in post-operative or invasive procedure-related infections.
• The patient received antibiotic treatment for the infection.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering less common Serratia species in the differential diagnosis of infections, particularly in patients with a history of invasive procedures.
• Recognizing Serratia rubidaea as a potential pathogen can guide appropriate antimicrobial therapy and improve patient outcomes.
• Further surveillance and case reporting are needed to fully understand the clinical significance and pathogenic potential of rare Serratia species.