Related Experiment Videos
Report of six cases of human infection by Serratia plymuthica
P Carrero1, J A Garrote, S Pacheco
1Department of Microbiology, General Hospital of Segovia, Spain.
Abstract:
Serratia plymuthica is an uncommon cause of human infection. Only one case of chronic osteomyelitis and two cases of sepsis secondary to central venous catheter infection have been documented. We report the isolation of S. plymuthica from six patients. The organism was recovered from blood cultures in three cases in which the patients had lymphoblastic leukemia, lymphoma, or stroke. Two isolates were recovered from exudates (following knee and abdominal surgery). In the last case, the organism was isolated from the peritoneal fluid of a patient with cholecystitis. The infection was considered nosocomial in five cases and community acquired in the other.
Insights
Serratia plymuthica rarely causes human infections. This study documents six new cases, including bloodstream infections and surgical site infections, highlighting its potential as a nosocomial pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Bacteriology
Background:
- Serratia plymuthica is an infrequently identified bacterial species in human infections.
- Previous reports are limited to isolated cases of chronic osteomyelitis and catheter-related sepsis.
Observation:
- This study reports six instances of Serratia plymuthica isolation from diverse clinical sources.
- The organism was identified in blood cultures of patients with hematologic malignancies or stroke.
- Serratia plymuthica was also found in surgical exudates and peritoneal fluid from a patient with cholecystitis.
Findings:
- Five of the six infections were acquired in a hospital setting (nosocomial).
- The spectrum of infections included bacteremia, surgical site infections, and peritonitis.
- This expands the known clinical manifestations of Serratia plymuthica infections.
Implications:
- Serratia plymuthica should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infections, particularly in immunocompromised or hospitalized patients.
- Enhanced surveillance and diagnostic awareness are needed for this uncommon pathogen.
- Understanding the epidemiology and clinical spectrum can guide treatment strategies for Serratia plymuthica infections.