title: Clostridium perfringens septicemia and acute leukemia.
abstract: Three cases of fatal clostridial septicemia in patients with acute leukemia are described. Predisposing factors and treatment are discussed. Clostridium septicemia should always be suspected when a patient with neutropenia suddenly develops diffuse abdominal pain, fever, and tachycardia over 120/min. The importance of early treatment with penicillin or another adequate antibiotic is discussed.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grützmeier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology*