TITLE:
A Case of Serratia marcescens Conjunctivitis in a Young Male after Exposure to Contaminated Shampoo in a Fitness Club
AUTHORS:
Muhammad Abdulrahman Halwani
KEYWORDS:
Serratia Marcescens, Conjunctivitis, Contaminated Shampoo, Eye Swabs
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ophthalmology,
Vol.13 No.2,
May
16,
2023
ABSTRACT: The contamination of shampoo with bacteria is not very common but can happen and can be a potential cause of conjunctivitis. This case report describes a 24-year-old male who developed conjunctivitis after using a Serratia marcescens contaminated shampoo in a fitness club. The patient had redness, swelling, and discharge in both eyes. Cultures of the shampoo and eye swabs were positive for S. marcescens with indistinguishable DNA fingerprints. The patient was treated with an eye drop antibiotic and his symptoms resolved within a week. This case highlights the possibility of exposure in places where shampoos containers are refilled or shared. The avoidance of refilling them and using replaceable cartridges, single-sealed refill bags, or bringing personal shampoo is highly recommended to prevent such incidents.