Pulmonary serratia infection refers to pulmonary involvement by the organism Serratia marcescens which is a gram-negative bacilli of the Enterobacteriaceae group of bacteria. It can naturally occur in soil and water as well as in the intestine.
It can often involve the lungs as a nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infection. Serratia species may sometimes harbor multidrug-resistance mechanisms that can complicate treatment.
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph and CT
A number of radiographic patterns have been described.
Predominant radiological patterns include 1:
- focal bronchopneumonia
- lobar consolidation
- diffuse nonhomogeneous infiltrates
- small radiolucent areas within the infiltrates may be present in some patients
- abscesses
- large pulmonary abscesses
- small microabscesses 2
- pleural effusions