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Endogenous endophthalmitis due to Serratia marcescens
1Department of Internal Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|May 1, 1998
Summary
Serratia marcescens rarely causes bacterial endophthalmitis, a serious eye infection. This case highlights a hemodialysis patient with vision loss from S marcescens endophthalmitis, likely due to a catheter infection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
Background:
- Bacterial endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular infection.
- Endogenous endophthalmitis is rare, with Serratia marcescens being an infrequent causative agent.
- Patients with diabetes and on hemodialysis are at increased risk for infections.
Observation:
- A hemodialysis-dependent diabetic patient presented with endogenous endophthalmitis in the right eye.
- The infection was attributed to Serratia marcescens.
- The presumed source of infection was an infected dialysis catheter.
Findings:
- Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis led to total visual loss in the affected eye.
- The severe infection necessitated enucleation (eye removal).
- This case underscores the potential for S marcescens to cause severe endogenous endophthalmitis in immunocompromised patients.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of vigilance for rare pathogens like Serratia marcescens in endophthalmitis.
- Emphasizes the risk of catheter-related infections in hemodialysis patients.
- Underscores the devastating visual consequences of delayed or ineffective treatment for bacterial endophthalmitis.