[Spontaneous gas gangrene in a diabetic patient with Clostridium septicum].
Atraumatic infections due to Clostridium septicum are known to be associated with immunosuppression or even malignancy. In this case report, we present a patient with severe Clostridium septicum infection related to advanced colon cancer that had not previously been diagnosed. The case demonstrates the strong association between Clostridium septicum infections and malignancy, particularly in the presence of other predisposing diseases such as diabetes mellitus. It strongly suggests excluding malignant neoplasms, especially of the gastrointestinal tract, when severe Clostridium septicum infections occur. Moreover, if patients with known colorectal or other malignancy develop septicaemia or spontaneous gas gangrene, clinicians should be aware of Clostridium septicum as one of the main causative agents, as early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are important to improve prognosis.
Mischke
A
A
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Universitätsklinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main. A.Mischke@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Besier
S
S
Walcher
F
F
Waibel
H
H
Brade
V
V
Brandt
C
C
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003013:Clostridium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003082:Colectomy; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003646:Debridement; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005738:Gas Gangrene / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins; D002981:Clindamycin