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Published on: June 15, 2019

Necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis due to Clostridium perfringens: a case report

Cristina Palmacci1, Manuela Antocicco, Lorenzo Bonomo

  • 1Department of Geriatrics, Policlinico A, Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. graziano_onder@rm.unicatt.it.

Cases Journal
|January 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study details a rare case of necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis caused by Clostridium perfringens in an elderly woman, highlighting a non-iatrogenic cause of severe pleuropulmonary infection.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Clostridia are infrequent causes of pleuropulmonary infections.
  • These infections typically manifest as necrotizing pneumonia with pleural involvement, often linked to iatrogenic factors or trauma.
  • However, non-iatrogenic origins are rarely observed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report an unusual case of Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis.
  • To emphasize the possibility of pleuropulmonary clostridial infections unrelated to iatrogenic causes or injuries.
  • To highlight the variable and potentially rapid, fatal clinical course.

Main Methods:

  • Case report presentation.
  • Clinical data review of an 82-year-old female patient.
  • Literature review on clostridial pleuropulmonary infections.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis.
  • The infection was attributed to Clostridium perfringens.
  • No iatrogenic causes or direct injuries were identified as the source of infection.
  • The clinical course, while variable, can be rapidly fatal.

Conclusions:

  • Clostridium perfringens can cause severe pleuropulmonary infections without typical predisposing factors.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering clostridial infections in diverse clinical scenarios.
  • Prompt recognition and management are crucial due to the potential for rapid deterioration.

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