title: Skin ulcers caused by Serratia marcescens: three cases and a review of the literature.
abstract: Serratia marcescens is a Gram-negative, encapsulated, motile, anaerobic, non-sporulating bacillus that belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is found in water, soil, plants, food, and garbage. S. marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen. It usually causes nosocomial infections, such as lung and genitourinary infections, sinusitis, otitis, endocarditis, and sepsis. Skin infections caused by S. marcescens are rare. To describe three new cases of skin ulcers of the leg caused by S. marcescens and review the relevant literature. We investigated three patients admitted for ulcers on the leg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In two patients, post-traumatic aetiology was concluded. The modality of infection was not identified for the other patient. One patient was diabetic. All patients recovered with specific antibiotic therapy (ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and levofloxacin, respectively). Skin ulcers due to S. marcescens are very rare. The three cases presented here add to the limited literature of skin infections caused by S. marcescens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, I.R.C.C.S. Foundation, Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Pace, 9-20122, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Veraldi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, I.R.C.C.S. Foundation, Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Pace, 9-20122, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nazzaro
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016868:Serratia Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012706:Serratia marcescens
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Serratia marcescens; abscess; cellulitis; granuloma; necrotizing fasciitis; nodule; ulcer