Supposed endogenous endophthalmitis caused by <i>Serratia marcescens</i> in a cat

Abstract

An 8-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of acute respiratory distress. Respiratory auscultation revealed a diffuse and symmetric increase in bronchovesicular sounds. Thoracic radiographs showed a diffuse unstructured interstitial pulmonary pattern with multifocal alveolar foci. Despite an aggressive treatment with supportive care, including oxygenotherapy and systemic antibiotics, progressive respiratory distress increased. Three days after the presentation, acute anterior uveitis was noticed on left eye. Ophthalmic examination and ocular ultrasonography revealed unilateral panuveitis with ocular hypertension. The right eye examination was unremarkable. Cytological examination of aqueous humor revealed a suppurative inflammation. Serratia marcescens was identified from aqueous humor culture. Primary pulmonary infection was suspected but was not confirmed as owners declined bronchoalveolar lavage. Active uveitis resolved and cat’s pulmonary status improved after appropriate systemic antibacterial therapy. Vision loss was permanent due to secondary mature cataract. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis secondary to S. marcescens infection in a cat.

Prospective evaluation of the prevalence of conjunctival and intraocular bacteria in dogs undergoing phacoemulsification following a standardized aseptic preparation with 0.5% povidone iodine

“…All S. marcescens isolates were resistant to cefazolin, cephalexin, cefuroxime, amoxcillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, chloramphenicol, and enrofloxacin. A previous case report of S. marcescens endogenous endophthalmitis in a cat found no resistance to fluoroquinolones differing from our study 15 …”

“…A second aim was to determine if an IV antibiotic at the time of induction was associated with a lower prevalence of a positive culture result in comparison with an aseptic preparation alone. We found that administration of IV cefazolin was not significantly associated with a positive culture result; neither were 15 Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative bacillus ubiquitous in the environment and considered a hospital acquired pathogen sporadically identified in human neonatal intensive care units, 16,17 urinary tract infections, 18 and endocarditis. 19,20 It has intrinsic resistance to antimicrobials and disinfectants, including narrow spectrum penicillins and cephalosporins.…”

Bacterial endophthalmitis caused by Serratia sp. nov. In rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

“…As for the cases of the genus Serratia as a cause of endophthalmitis in animals, there is still not much information beyond the report of a cat presenting ophthalmological examination with panuveitis, increased IOP and unsatisfactory treatment (GUYONNET et al, 2019), similar to what happened in this study.…”

Bacterial endoftalmitis caused by Serratia sp. in a bunny (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

“…As for cases of the genus Serratia as a cause of endophthalmitis in animals, there is still not much information other than the report of a cat presenting with panuveitis, increased IOP and unsatisfactory treatment (GUYONNET et al, 2019), similar to what happened in this study.…”