title: Fatal aortic endocarditis associated with community-acquired Serratia marcescens infection in a dog.
abstract: A 12 yr old Dalmatian was referred for evaluation of acute lethargy, fever, neurologic signs, and a recently ausculted heart murmur. Echocardiography in combination with blood cultures resulted in a diagnosis of nonhospital-acquired Serratia marcescens bacteremia and aortic valve endocarditis. Despite early diagnosis and aggressive therapy, the dog failed to respond to antimicrobials and died within 6 hr after admission. Necropsy findings included aortic valve endocarditis, septicemia, and diffuse thromboembolic disease. There was no history of pre-existing underlying disease or immunosuppressive therapy, and the dog had not been hospitalized before referral.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fauls
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hummel
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Breitschwerdt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D008297:Male; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012706:Serratia marcescens
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents