Clostridium perfringens bloodstream infection secondary to acute pancreatitis: A case report

Clostridium perfringens sepsis after comprehensive multicourse treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report and review

Introduction

Clostridium perfringens sepsis is a rare but serious clinical syndrome that is typically triggered by gastrointestinal disorders. We present a case of bloodstream infection caused by Clostridium perfringens in a liver cancer patient after comprehensive multicourse treatment.

Case presentations

The patient, a 68-year-old male, experienced nausea, decreased appetite, and abdominal distension on the 15th day after receiving comprehensive multicourse treatment and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). During admission, he developed fever, and blood culture results confirmed the presence of Clostridium perfringens. The patient was discharged with improved symptoms.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the rarity of Clostridium perfringens sepsis. For liver cancer patients, particularly those who have undergone TACE or radiofrequency ablation and who experience post treatment fever, vigilance for Clostridium perfringens bloodstream infection is crucial. Timely diagnostic assessments and proactive treatment can significantly enhance the survival prospects of these patients.

Spontaneous gas gangrene of the pancreas: extremely rare condition

Acute pancreatitis is a common condition, only occasionally leading to necrosis of the pancreas. In instances where abscess formation takes place, the predominant microbial profile involves both aerobic and anaerobic enteric species. We present the case of a patient with clostridial emphysematous pancreatitis who developed pneumoperitoneum without associated visceral perforation.

A case report of acute suppurative thyroiditis caused by Clostridium perfringens

A 42-year-old woman inadvertently discovered a neck mass, which caused pain. Initially, she was treated with antibiotics at a local clinic; however, this treatment did not alleviate the symptoms. She visited the authors' outpatient clinic for further treatment and underwent thyroid ultrasonography, which revealed a mixed echo nodule. On day 4 after admission, surgery was performed to remove the diseased thyroid tissue and levofloxacin (0.4 g/day) was infused. Bacterial culture confirmed infection with Clostridium perfringens. Subsequently, the treatment was switched to ceftriaxone sodium (2 g/day) according to the results of the drug sensitivity test. Following treatment, the patient recovered fully and was discharged. She was then followed up with after discharge. Ultrasonography, laboratory testing and clinical manifestations did not indicate obvious abnormalities.