eMedicine Specialties > Infectious Diseases > Bacterial Infections

Serratia: Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Author: Basilio J Anía, MD, Consultant in Internal Medicine, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Negrín & Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Nov 4, 2009

Differential Diagnoses

Enterobacter Infections
Pneumonia, Bacterial
Escherichia Coli Infections
Proteus Infections
Klebsiella Infections
Providencia Infections
Meningitis
Sepsis, Bacterial

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • CBC count with differential
    • Leukocytosis with neutrophilia
    • Leukopenia (rare)
    • Presence of more than 10% immature neutrophils (ie, bands)
    • Possible anemia
  • Serum biochemistry for glucose, urea, and creatinine
  • Bacterial cultures and antibiograms
    • Blood
    • Urine
    • Samples of abscesses or effusions
    • Catheters suspected of being contaminated
    • Liquid soaps or disinfectants suspected of being contaminated
    • Intravenous fluids suspected of being contaminated
  • Cerebrospinal fluid
    • Polynuclear pleocytosis
    • High protein level
    • Low glucose level

Imaging Studies

  • Perform chest radiography in patients with suspected pneumonia or with respiratory distress.
  • Abdominal ultrasonography or CT scanning is used to rule out obstructive hydronephrosis or intra-abdominal abscesses (eg, hepatic, pancreatic).
  • Transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography may reveal valvular vegetations and valvular or paravalvular regurgitation.
  • Perform spinal CT scanning or MRI if spondylitis is suspected.

Procedures

  • Lumbar puncture should be performed in all patients with suspected meningitis. Signs of increased intracranial pressure (focal neurologic abnormalities, seizure, altered mental status) should prompt evaluation with CT scanning prior to puncture to exclude cerebral abscess or mass lesion.

More on Serratia

Overview: Serratia
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Serratia
Treatment & Medication: Serratia
Follow-up: Serratia
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

infection sepsis, urinary tract infection, UTI, meningitis, cerebral abscess, keratitis parotitis, bacteremia

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Basilio J Anía, MD, Consultant in Internal Medicine, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Negrín & Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Thomas Herchline, MD, Professor of Medicine, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine; Medical Director, Public Health, Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio
Thomas Herchline, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

John L Brusch, MD, FACP, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Medicine and Infectious Disease Service, Cambridge Health Alliance
John L Brusch, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital
Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Burke A Cunha, MD, Professor of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook; Chief, Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital
Burke A Cunha, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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