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Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Enrichment and Detection of Clostridium perfringens Toxinotypes in Retail Food Samples
Published on: October 18, 2019
There may be more than meets the eye with Clostridium perfringens bacteremia
Stephen Melnick1, Salik Nazir1, Brian Chwiecko1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, PA, USA.
Abstract:
We present the case of an 89-year-old man with a 1 month history of fevers and fatigue. Blood cultures were positive for Clostridium perfringens. The patient had worsening abdominal distension in which an abdominal computed tomography scan uncovered a colonic mass, and further work-up revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient was treated with antibiotics, but unfortunately, given his age and the new malignancy, he was discharged to hospice care. The association between clostridial bacteremia and colon cancer has been well described in the literature and is further discussed in this article. This case highlights the importance of recognizing possible occult malignancy in the right clinical setting in patients found to have clostridial bacteremia.
Insights
Clostridium perfringens bacteremia in an elderly patient was linked to an undiagnosed colon cancer. This case underscores the need to investigate potential malignancies in patients with clostridial bacteremia.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Clostridium perfringens bacteremia is a serious infection.
- The association between clostridial bacteremia and gastrointestinal malignancies is recognized.
- Early detection of underlying conditions is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of Clostridium perfringens bacteremia in an elderly patient.
- To highlight the association between clostridial bacteremia and colon cancer.
- To emphasize the importance of considering occult malignancy in patients with clostridial bacteremia.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of an 89-year-old male with fever and fatigue.
- Blood cultures positive for Clostridium perfringens.
- Abdominal CT scan revealing a colonic mass and subsequent diagnosis of adenocarcinoma.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with symptoms suggestive of infection and malignancy.
- Clostridium perfringens was identified as the causative agent of bacteremia.
- A poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the colon was discovered.
Conclusions:
- Clostridial bacteremia can be an indicator of underlying colon cancer.
- Prompt recognition and investigation of clostridial bacteremia are essential for diagnosing occult malignancies.
- This case emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion for malignancy in elderly patients with unexplained bacteremia.
