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A Ligated Intestinal Loop Model in Anesthetized Specific Pathogen Free Chickens to Study Clostridium Perfringens Virulence
Published on: October 11, 2018
Type A fulminant Clostridium perfringens sepsis indicated RBC/Hb discrepancy; a case report
Masahide Sakaue1, Koshi Ota2, Eriko Nakamura2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Osaka Medical College, 2-7 Daigaku-machi, Takatsuki City, Osaka, 596-8686, Japan. emm011@osaka-med.ac.jp.
Background:
Clostridium perfringens can cause various infections, including food poisoning, gas gangrene, cellulitis and fasciitis. C. perfringens septicemia is rare, but is a known cause of hemolysis by damaging red blood cell, and often proves rapidly fatal in emergency department (ED) situations.
Case Presentation:
A previously healthy 76-year-old man presented to the ED 8 h after onset of acute abdominal pain and diarrhea. Laboratory examination revealed a large discrepancy between the red blood cell count of 1.91 × 106/mm3 and the hemoglobin level of 10.3 g/dL, suggesting massive intravascular hemolysis. Computed tomography revealed liver abscesses with gas. During ED treatment, the state of the patient rapidly deteriorated and he entered cardiopulmonary arrest. Blood cultures finally identified C. perfringens.
Conclusion:
Intravascular hemolysis and red blood cell (RBC) / hemoglobin (Hb) discrepancy in the presence of infection should prompt ED physicians to consider C. perfringens septicemia and to act quickly to provide appropriate treatment.
Insights
Clostridium perfringens septicemia is a rare but fatal condition causing massive intravascular hemolysis. Prompt recognition of red blood cell and hemoglobin discrepancies in infected patients is crucial for rapid treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical microbiology
- Infectious diseases
- Emergency medicine
Background:
- Clostridium perfringens causes various infections, including food poisoning and gas gangrene.
- C. perfringens septicemia, though rare, can lead to hemolysis and rapid deterioration in emergency settings.
Observation:
- A 76-year-old man presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea, exhibiting a significant discrepancy between red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels, indicative of massive intravascular hemolysis.
- Computed tomography revealed liver abscesses with gas. The patient's condition rapidly worsened, leading to cardiopulmonary arrest.
Findings:
- Blood cultures confirmed C. perfringens as the causative agent.
- The clinical presentation highlighted the potential for C. perfringens septicemia to cause severe intravascular hemolysis and rapid decline.
Implications:
- A discrepancy between red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels during infection should raise suspicion for C. perfringens septicemia in emergency departments.
- Early identification and prompt treatment are critical for improving outcomes in patients with C. perfringens septicemia and associated hemolysis.
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