Serratia marcescens Meningitis: Neonatal Case

Abstract

Serratia marcescens belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family, commonly found in water, soil, animals, insects, plants. Although Serratia marcescens has low virulence, it causes nosocomial infections and outbreaks in extremely immunocompromised or critically ill patients, particularly in intensive care units, particularly neonatal units. This pathogen causes a wide range of clinical symptoms in newborns, including keratitis, conjunctivitis, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, surgical site infections, sepsis, bloodstream infection, and meningitis. The bloodstream is the most commonly infected location, followed by the respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract.  Serratia marcescens strains implicated in epidemic events have often proven to be multiresistant. Indeed, this species has an inherent resistance to multiple antibiotic families. Often, the particular source of infection cannot be determined. However, infected hands of healthcare professionals are thought to be a key vector for its spread. Infection of the central nervous system by this bacterium in the neonatal period leads to serious neurological sequelae with high mortality interest of early and adequate management. Through our work we report the clinical presentation, the positive diagnosis as well as the therapeutic management and the evolution of a newborn having presented a meningitis with Serratia marcescens complicated by ventriculitis.