Prostatic abscess in a neonate: An unusual complication associated with fatal Serratia marcescens sepsis

In the modern antibiotic era, prostatic abscess (PA) is a rare complication in adults who receive appropriate treatment for acute bacterial prostatitis. Although reported. PA is very unusual in the pediatric age group. Only 14 cases have been reported previously in children including 11 cases in neonates. Staphylococcus aureus is the major causative pathogen in infants, suggesting a hematogenous pathogenesis. When undiagnosed, the condition may be lethal. We describe a 10-day-old white male with fulminate Serratia marcescens sepsis associated with PA. Urine, blood, and CSF cultures grew S. marcescens. Postmortem examination revealed an enlarged verumontanum, which may have caused partial urethral obstruction. Several prostatic abscesses with erosion of the prostatic gland epithelium and extension of the acute inflammation into the surrounding stroma were noted. PA in association with S. marcascens has not been reported in the English literature. Although PA is rarely seen now, physicians should be familiar with this life threatening condition, which necessitates early diagnosis, as well as prompt institution of appropriate therapy.