SERRATIA-MARCESCENS BACTEREMIA IN A DOG

A dog was refered to Toulouse Veterinary School with a complain of let hargy and hyperthermia unresponsive to previous antibiotherapy. In fro nt of clinical examination and clinical pathology results, bacteremia was suspected and further confirmed after identification of Serratia m arcescens in blood and urine cultures. Despite treatment, disseminated intravascular coagulation due to bacteremia developed and caused the death of the dog. This bacteria is rarely involved in canine medicine but is a frequent agent of nosocomial infections in human medicine. Th e route of entry of Serratia marcescens was not clearly identified. Ne vertheless two sites of systemic embolization were found : one on valv ular endocardium and another in epididymis. The route of entry of Serr atia marcescens, the different ways of dissemination and the different ial diagnosis of bacteremia are discussed.