Clostridium septicum: An Unusual Link to a Lower Gastrointestinal Bleed

• Main Authors: Kegan Jessamy, Fidelis O. Ojevwe, Ezinnaya Ubagharaji, Anuj Sharma, Obiajulu Anozie, Christy Ann Gilman, Sekou Rawlins
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Karger Publishers 2016-09-01
• Series: Case Reports in Gastroenterology
• Subjects: Clostridium septicum; Colon cancer; Lower gastrointestinal bleeding
• Online Access: http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/448881

Clostridium septicum is a highly virulent pathogen which is associated with colorectal malignancy, hematological malignancy, immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus and cyclical neutropenia. Presentation may include disseminated clostridial infection in the form of septicemia, gas gangrene, and mycotic aortic aneurysms. We report the case of a 62-year-old female presenting with necrotizing fasciitis of her left thigh and subsequently developing rectal bleeding. While she was being treated with empiric antibiotics, her blood culture was found to be positive for C. septicum. We would like to highlight the importance of early colorectal cancer screening in minimizing the occurrence of undetected tumors which provide an optimal growth environment for C. septicum, leading to localized and/or remote infection.