Treatment of severe hemolytic anemia caused by Clostridium perfringens sepsis in a liver transplant recipient.
BACKGROUND
Clostridium perfringens bacteremia accompanied by extensive intravascular hemolysis is an almost inescapably fatal infection.


METHODS
Case report and literature review.


RESULTS
A 52-year-old man with a recent history of liver transplantation developed sepsis and severe hemolytic anemia. The patient had multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and required aggressive transfusion, antibiotics, and continuous hemodialysis. Blood cultures grew C. perfringens. With appropriate resuscitation and antibiotic treatment, the patient had a complete, although complicated recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first reported case of a liver transplant patient developing fulminant C. perfringens sepsis with hemolysis. This infection usually kills patients within hours of presentation. Early recognition and aggressive treatment is necessary to avoid this outcome.
Division of Trauma, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724-5063, USA.
John
J
Watt
Albert
A
Amini
Jarrod
J
Mosier
Monica
M
Gustafson
Julie L
JL
Wynne
Randall
R
Friese
Rainer W G
RW
Gruessner
Peter
P
Rhee
Terence
T
O'Keeffe
D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000382:microbiology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003016:Clostridium perfringens; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents