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Clostridium septicum bacteremia without gas gangrene as a late consequence of a contaminated wound
Ian J Woolley1, Robert L Love, Alan C Street
1Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. Ian.Woolley@med.monash.edu.au
Background:
Clostridium septicum is an unusual human pathogen associated with colorectal malignancy and gas gangrene.
Methods:
A case compilation and literature review are presented.
Results:
We report the case of an individual with a comminuted tibial fracture complicated by a superficial surgical site infection with C. septicum nine weeks after the original injury and internal fixation, which was complicated by a secondary bacteremia.
Conclusions:
This is a unique case in the literature, but it is suggested that the use of cephalosporins as prophylaxis for contaminated wounds may be inferior to penicillins to prevent clostridial infections.
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