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Clostridium cadaveris bacteremia in the immunocompromised host
R Gucalp1, M Motyl, P Carlisle
1Department of Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467.
Medical and Pediatric Oncology
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Clostridium cadaveris, typically non-pathogenic, was identified in two cancer patients with fever and abdominal bacteremia. This marks the first report of this bacterium causing infections in this specific clinical context.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Clostridium cadaveris is generally regarded as a non-pathogenic commensal organism.
- The role of C. cadaveris in human infections has not been well-established.
Observation:
- Two febrile cancer patients presented with bloodstream infections.
- Blood cultures from these patients yielded isolates of Clostridium cadaveris.
Findings:
- The bacteremia in both patients was suspected to originate from an abdominal source.
- This is the first documented instance of Clostridium cadaveris acting as an etiological agent in cancer patients with abdominal infections.
Implications:
- This finding expands the spectrum of known pathogens causing bacteremia in immunocompromised individuals.
- It highlights the need to consider C. cadaveris in the differential diagnosis of infections, particularly in cancer patients with abdominal pathology.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenic potential and clinical significance of C. cadaveris.