title: Cerebral abscess caused by Serratia marcescens in a premature neonate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cerebral abscesses are extremely rare in neonates. Serratia marcescens is an unusual cause of sepsis and neurological spread is especially ominous.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the case of a 34-week neonate who developed this rare condition and to discuss diagnostic and therapeutic measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 34-week male neonate sequentially developed respiratory distress syndrome, early sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis; later cultures revealed S. marcescens. After deterioration, a cerebral abscess became evident, which revealed S. marcescens. Clinical improvement ensued after high-dose amikacin and meropenem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical signs are often non-specific. Proper diagnostic measures, neurosurgical consultation and aggressive antibiotic therapy are essential for these high-risk neonates.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Tatiana Mattos
authors: TM
authors: Hirooka
authors: Ricardo Braganca de Vasconcellos
authors: RB
authors: Fontes
authors: Edna Maria
authors: EM
authors: Diniz
authors: Fernando Campos
authors: FC
authors: Pinto
authors: Hamilton
authors: H
authors: Matushita
mesh_terms: D000583:Amikacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D000077731:Meropenem; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D012706:Serratia marcescens; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013845:Thienamycins; D000583:Amikacin; D000077731:Meropenem