title: Clostridium septicum: An Unusual Link to a Lower Gastrointestinal Bleed.
abstract: Clostridium septicumis a highly virulent pathogen which is associated with colorectal malignancy, hematological malignancy, immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus and cyclical neutropenia. Presentation may include disseminated clostridial infection in the form of septicemia, gas gangrene, and mycotic aortic aneurysms. We report the case of a 62-year-old female presenting with necrotizing fasciitis of her left thigh and subsequently developing rectal bleeding. While she was being treated with empiric antibiotics, her blood culture was found to be positive forC. septicum. We would like to highlight the importance of early colorectal cancer screening in minimizing the occurrence of undetected tumors which provide an optimal growth environment forC. septicum, leading to localized and/or remote infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Kegan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jessamy
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Fidelis O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Ojevwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Ezinnaya
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ubagharaji
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Anuj
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Obiajulu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Anozie
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Christy Ann
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gilman
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Division, Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Sekou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rawlins
keywords: Clostridium septicum; Colon cancer; Lower gastrointestinal bleeding