Serratia marcescens septicaemia in the dog.

A non-pigmented strain of Serratia marcescens was isolated ante-mortem and at post-mortem from the blood of six dogs under intensive medical care. Clinical, bacteriological and pathological evidence confirmed death to be associated with septicaemia from this Gram-negative organism. I N T R O D U C T I O N Serratia marcescens has been known to exist in both pigmented and non-pigmented varieties (Breed, Murray & Smith, 1957). The organism is usually considered to be a saprophyte whose natural habitat includes soil, water, sewage and food (Breed & Murray, 1957; Gaughran, 1969; Wilson & Miles, 1959). The pathogenic nature of Serratia spp. for animals was first recorded in 1903 by Bertarelli. More recent reports have incriminated this organism as a cause of mastitis (Barnum, Thackery & Fish, 1958) and abortion in cattle (Quintiliani & Gifford, 1969) and subcutaneous abscesses in reptiles (Boam et al., 1970). Serratia marcescens, particularly the non-pigmented strains, has assumed importance as a nosocomial pathogen for man (Clayton & Von Graevenitz, 1966; Dodson, 1968; Ewing, Johnson & Davis, 1962; Magnuson & Elston, 1966; Smith & Reynolds, 1970; Wilfert, Barrett & Kass, 1968; Williams et al., 1971). It has become a frequent cause of serious infection in hospitalized patients, especially associated with intravenous fluid infusion therapy (Wilfert, Barrett & Kass, 1968). Death attributable to fulminating Serratia marcescens septicaemia occurred in six dogs under intensive care on intravenous fluid therapy via indwelling jugular catheters. The animals were suffering from a range of debilitating diseases. Three were under post-operative management, while the other three were medical cases.