Serratia infection natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Following transmission, approximately 30% to 50% of individuals do not develop any clinical manifestations. The incubation period of Serratia is not known, but is thought to range from several days to several weeks. Clinical manifestations of Serratia depend on the location of the colonization (e.g. respiratory tract, urinary tract, meninges, heart valves). Complications and prognosis are dependent to the site of Serratia infection.

• Following transmission, approximately 30% to 50% of individuals do not develop any clinical manifestations.
• The incubation period of Serratia is not known, but is thought to range from several days to several weeks.
• Clinical manifestations of Serratia depend on the location of the colonization (e.g. respiratory tract, urinary tract, meninges, heart valves)
• Clinical manifestations are usually non-specific and include fever and typical signs and symptoms of the clinical disease.
• If left untreated, patients with Serratia infection typically progress and develop complications.

Complications of Serratia infection depend on the clinical syndrome. Complications may include complications of the following disease:

• Complications of urinary tract infection
• Complications of pneumonia
• Complications of meningitis
• Complications of endocarditis
• Complications of skin infection

• With prompt and adequate treatment, patients with Serratia recover without any long-term sequelae.
• Prognosis of Serratia infection is generally good in urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and local wound infections.
• The prognosis is poorer when Serratia causes meningitis or endocarditis, given the prognosis of the clinical syndromes themselves.