title: Overwhelming maternal sepsis due to a gas-forming Escherichia coli chorioamnionitis.
abstract: We report a case of a patient who developed fulminant sepsis and respiratory distress caused by a gas-forming Escherichia coli intrauterine infection following premature rupture of the membranes and fetal death. Such gas-forming infections are rare, and, when they occur, they are usually caused by Clostridium welchii. This patient was treated with antibiotics, ventilator support, and hysterectomy, and at follow-up was in good health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Mary Birch Hospital for Women, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Catanzarite
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schibanoff
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chinn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000150:complications*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000150:complications; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000150:complications; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D005740:Gases