title: Autopsy cases of fulminant bacterial infection in adults: clinical onset depends on the virulence of bacteria and patient immune status.
abstract: To assist physicians in recognizing the potentially fatal onset of symptoms in cases of fulminant bacterial infection, we analyzed 11 autopsy cases of such infection (four caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, four by S. pyogenes, one by S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis, one by Staphylococcus aureus, and one by Vibrio vulnificus). Clinicohistopathologic features were evaluated. All patients experienced sudden onset of hypotension and multiple organ failure, leading to unexpected death. Blood culture confirmed bacteremia. The main chief complaints were gastrointestinal symptoms (45%) and limb pain (36%). All had an underlying chronic illness (82%), e.g., a hematologic disorder (36.3%) or liver cirrhosis (27.2%). Necrotizing fasciitis occurred in only 55% of cases, with none involving pneumococcal infection. Laboratory tests typically showed C-reactive protein elevation but without leukocytosis, indicating a high-level inflammatory state. In ten cases, death was attributed to circulatory collapse due to sepsis; severe pulmonary congestion and hemorrhage were present in these cases. The onset of fulminant bacterial infection depends on both virulence of the bacterium and status of the host defense system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, 1-30 Fujigaoka, Aoba-ku, Yokohama, 227-8501, Japan. takumatajiri1003@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Takuma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tajiri
authors.forename: Genshu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masunaga
authors.forename: Katsutoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miura
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kunimura
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mitsuya
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morohoshi
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy; D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005121:Extremities / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012769:Shock; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology