Severe Acute Infection Due to Serratia marcescens Causing Respiratory Distress in An Immunocompetent Adult

Abstract

The role of Serratia marcescens changed from a harmless saprophytic microorganism to an important opportunistic human pathogen. It often causes nosocomial device-associated outbreaks and rarely serious invasive community acquired infections. We present a case of a community-acquired Serratia marcescens bacteremia leading to Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a previously healthy 51-year-old man without identifiable risk factors. Full recovery was achieved with solely medical treatment and observation in ICU during three days. To our knowledge it is an extremely uncommon presentation and just few cases have been previously reported in the literature.

Keywords

• sepsis
• serratia
• respiratory insufficiency
• abscess
• immunocompetent