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A Sixty-Nine-Year-Old Female With Serratia marcescens Infection
Furkhan Ali1, JinJin Wu1, Dilip Kc1
1Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago, USA.
Cureus
|January 5, 2024
Summary
Serratia marcescens, a bacterial pathogen, can cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Early suspicion and appropriate antibiotics are crucial for managing such infections, as demonstrated in this case study.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen frequently causing infections in immunocompromised individuals.
- Risk factors for infection include metastatic cancer, chemotherapy, and substance abuse.
- Early identification and treatment are vital for patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old female with multiple comorbidities presented with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after a mechanical fall.
- Blood cultures revealed Serratia marcescens bacteremia.
- The patient had significant immune suppression due to metastatic lung cancer and chemotherapy.
Findings:
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics (vancomycin, cefepime) were initiated, followed by targeted therapy with ceftriaxone and levofloxacin.
- Blood cultures cleared within two days of targeted antibiotic treatment.
- The patient recovered and was discharged after monitoring.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for opportunistic pathogens like Serratia marcescens in immunocompromised patients.
- Prompt diagnosis and tailored antimicrobial therapy are essential for successful management.
- Preventing exposure can be challenging due to the pathogen's environmental presence.
