[Clostridium septicum bacteremia in a diabetic patient (author's transl)]

This report concerns the clinical and bacteriological study of a female diabetic who presented with a febrile illness of sudden onset and acute toxemia. Physical examination at admission was unrewarding. A few hours after admission lesions characteristic of gas gangrene appeared in the right upper limb without prior trauma, and a clostridial infection was suspected. Bacteriological studies of the exudate and of the patient's blood led to the isolation of Clostridium septicum, thus confirming the clinical suspicion. The disease had a precipitous course and the patient died 12 hours after admission in spite of the administration of high doses of intravenous penicillin. While waiting for bacteriological data, early antibiotic treatment appears to be indicated in any diabetic patient with an acute toxic syndrome and absence of localized infection.