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Enrichment and Detection of Clostridium perfringens Toxinotypes in Retail Food Samples
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Clostridium Perfringens Infection in a Febrile Patient with Severe Hemolytic Anemia

Masamitsu Hashiba1, Atsutoshi Tomino1, Nobuyoshi Takenaka1

  • 1Department of Emergency and Acute Intensive Care Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan.

The American Journal of Case Reports
|April 7, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Clostridium perfringens sepsis, though rare, can be fatal due to alpha toxin-induced hemolysis. Early recognition of specific blood smear findings in febrile patients aids diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Hematology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) causes infections like gas gangrene.
  • C. perfringens sepsis is rare but often fatal due to alpha toxin-induced intravascular hemolysis.

Observation:

  • A diabetic male developed a fatal liver abscess with septic shock from toxigenic C. perfringens.
  • Peripheral blood smear revealed spherocytes and loss of central pallor.
  • Multiplex PCR confirmed C. perfringens type A (cpa gene expression).

Findings:

  • Massive intravascular hemolysis and septic shock were key features.
  • The patient presented with severe hemolytic anemia, low MCV, and a negative Coombs test.
  • Characteristic peripheral blood smear findings, including spherocytes, were noted.

Implications:

  • C. perfringens infection should be suspected in febrile patients with severe hemolytic anemia and specific blood smear morphology.
  • Rapid diagnosis can be facilitated by recognizing these characteristic peripheral blood findings.
  • Prompt identification is crucial for managing this rapidly fatal condition.

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