title: Massive haemolysis, gas-forming liver abscess and sepsis due to Clostridium perfringens bacteraemia.
abstract: Clostridial soft tissue infections are infrequent, but can be life-threatening when associated with certain underlying conditions, such as immunosuppression or malignancy. When bacteraemia occurs, it can be accompanied by haemolysis. Only surgical removal of the focus of infection and early onset of antibiotic therapy can prevent a very poor outcome. We describe the case of a man aged 65 years who presented with sepsis, haemolysis and rapid worsening. The identification of a gas-forming liver abscess, the early percutaneous drainage and the prompt initiation of antibiotic treatment were the key factors in the outcome of this patient.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario de Mostoles, Mostoles, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7532-4585
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García Carretero
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, Hospital Universitario de Mostoles, Mostoles, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romero Brugera
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario de Mostoles, Mostoles, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vazquez-Gomez
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario de Mostoles, Mostoles, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Noelia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rebollo-Aparicio
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D003016:Clostridium perfringens; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology*; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology