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Serratia marcescens Endocarditis in Prosthetic Valves
Asma Jamil1, Hari Sharma1, Ruhma Ali1
1Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Saint Michael's Medical Center, Newark, USA.
Cureus
|December 18, 2023
Summary
Serratia marcescens endocarditis is rare, especially with prosthetic valves. This case highlights severe embolic complications and coagulopathy, leading to a poor prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Hematology
Background:
- Serratia marcescens endocarditis is an infrequent infection.
- Prosthetic valve endocarditis presents unique challenges in diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- A patient with a prosthetic valve developed severe Serratia marcescens endocarditis.
- Clinical course was marked by extensive embolic events, including stroke and limb gangrene.
- Septic emboli affected multiple organs: lungs, spleen, and eyes.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited severe consumptive coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia.
- Widespread emboli and coagulopathy precluded surgical intervention.
- The patient's condition led to a transition to comfort care.
Implications:
- This case underscores the aggressive nature of Serratia marcescens endocarditis.
- Management is challenging due to high embolic risk and coagulopathies.
- Prognosis is often grave, particularly in patients unsuitable for surgery.
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