Clostridium perfringens septicemia: A rare presentation and review of the literature

Mastian Chand, Ellen Gutkin, Sang H. Kim, Carl Urban, Melvin C. Hochman

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Clostridium perfringens is commonly found in the surrounding environment and is isolated from the intestinal tract of humans. It can become pathogenic with extremes of clinical presentation. We present a case of severe sepsis syndrome secondary to C perfringens with an unusual presentation of coexisting bilious pleural effusion. Despite an aggressive attempt at resuscitation and treatment, the patient died. C perfringens sepsis can cause severe sepsis syndrome with massive hemolysis and has an extremely high mortality. Bilious pleural effusions are rare complications of biliary tract disorders. We present a rare case of biliary pleural effusion in a patient with C perfringens sepsis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)115-118
Number of pages4
JournalInfectious Diseases in Clinical Practice
Volume20
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2012

Keywords

  • Clostridium perfringens
  • bilious pleural effusion
  • hepatic gangrene
  • intravascular hemolysis
  • sepsis syndrome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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