A small outbreak of Serratia marcescens sepsis and meningitis.

Two fatal cases of Serratia marcescens sepsis and meningitis are reported here. The first case, a 1,420-g male infant born after 35 weeks of gestation, developed abdominal distension, hypotension and acidosis on the 3rd day after birth. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was cloudy; blood and CSF cultures were positive for S. marcescens. He died within 24 hours after the appearance of symptoms, and purulent meningitis was found at autopsy. The second case, a 1,100-g boy born after 29 weeks of gestation, developed Escherichia coli sepsis at 14 days of age, from which he recovered. At 26 days of age he developed convulsions. Blood and CSF cultures grew S. marcescens. He was given gentamicin, chloramphenicol and supportive treatment, but expired 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. Both cases appeared within a 2-day period.