Recurrent septicaemia in a neutropenic patient with typhlitis

We report a case where life threatening gram negative sepsis developed in a patient with CLL in association with post chemotherapy neutropenia on three occasions. Bacterial typhlitis or neutropenic enterocolitis, which is a well described entity of bowel necrosis seen in immunosuppressed patients, was demonstrated at colonoscopy and was the probable portal of entry of micro-organisms. After spontaneous resolution of the typhlitis, further chemotherapy has been given without recurrent sepsis. Typhlitis should be considered as a cause of recurrent septicaemia in neutropenic patients.