Serratia Workup

  • Author: Basilio J Anía, MD; Chief Editor: Burke A Cunha, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 12, 2011
 

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
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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.
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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.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Basilio J Anía, MD  Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Consultant in Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Dr. Negrín, Spain

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Thomas E Herchline, MD  Professor of Medicine, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine; Medical Director, Public Health, Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio

Thomas E Herchline, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Infectious Diseases Society of Ohio

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

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.

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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