Klebsiella Pneumoniae sepsis deteriorated by uncontrolled underlying disease in a decontamination worker in Fukushima, Japan.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with underlying conditions are at a higher risk of developing sepsis, a systematic response to infection, which has a high mortality rate. After the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, there has been an influx of migrant decontamination workers; however, little is known about their health status.


METHODS
A Japanese 55-year-old male decontamination worker, who had several underlying diseases, was transferred to our hospital in cardiopulmonary arrest. He had a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension and a past history of tuberculosis. Control of underlying conditions was poor, with HbA1c of 13.8% at presentation. He was diagnosed with pneumonia-induced bacteremia and sepsis due to Klebsiella pneumoniae. Although spontaneous circulation returned in emergency room, he died a day after admission.


CONCLUSIONS
The poor control of underlying diseases seen in this patient could have been influenced by his recent job transfer and engagement in decontamination work and additionally related to his socioeconomic status (SES). This case highlights the need for further research to elucidate the underlying diseases, working conditions, and SES of this population.
Department of Postgraduate Education, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital.
Toyoaki
T
Sawano
Masaharu
M
Tsubokura
Claire
C
Leppold
Akihiko
A
Ozaki
Sho
S
Fujioka
Tsuyoshi
T
Nemoto
Shigeaki
S
Kato
Tomoyoshi
T
Oikawa
Yukio
Y
Kanazawa
D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology*; D003666:Decontamination; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000382:microbiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000382:microbiology*; D007564:Japan; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055848:Nuclear Power Plants; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*