Serratia Marcescens, a Rare and Devastating Cause of Endocarditis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

A Rare Presentation of Serratia marcescens Endocarditis

Serratia marcescens is uncommon and rarely causes bacterial endocarditis. It can follow a rapid and progressive course with high mortality. Here, we present the case of a 27-year-old gentleman with bacterial endocarditis secondary to S. marcescens who was successfully treated medically.

A rare Serratia marcescens-associated acute endocarditis of a tricuspid valve in an intravenous drug user : A case report and literature review

Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative bacillus that is an opportunistic agent in respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and septicemia. It is rarely also a cause of infective endocarditis which follows a rapid and devastating course, typically in persons with history of intravenous drug use (IDU). This article reports a fatal case of a 27-year-old patient with a known history of IDU, who presented with clinical symptoms concerning right-sided endocarditis as well as signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Finally, a detailed review of the literature is provided concerning the acute endocarditis of a tricuspid valve, especially associated with Serratia marcescens infection.

Serratia marcescens Endocarditis in Prosthetic Valves

Serratia marcescens endocarditis is a rare occurrence. We describe a case of Serratia endocarditis in a patient with a prosthetic valve. The clinical course was complicated by widespread embolic phenomena causing stroke, gangrene of extremities, and septic emboli to the lungs, spleen, and eyes. She was not considered suitable for surgery due to severe consumptive coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia in the setting of widespread emboli. The patient was transitioned to do not resuscitate status and discharged to a long-term care facility with a grave prognosis explained to the family.