An unusual odontogenic infection due to Clostridium subterminale in an immunocompetent patient: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Clostridium subterminale is an anaerobic spore-forming bacterium usually associated with infections in patients who are immunocompromised. This case report focuses on a rare presentation of a multifascial space odontogenic infection associated with the bacterial isolate Clostridium subterminale. The management of an odontogenic infection associated with an isolate of Clostridium subterminale in an immunocompetent female is described, as well as a review of the literature.

Clostridium subterminale infection in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and haemophagocytic syndrome: A case report and literature review

“…However, although resistance to cephalosporins, clindamycin, aminoglycosides and quinolones has been reported, most Clostridium spp are sensitive to penicillin, carbapenems, glycopeptides and metronidazole. 14,16 In this present case, following identification of C. subterminale in blood culture, levofloxacin was initiated and used empirically to fight infection. After three days blood culture was negative for the bacilli and so demonstrated that the antibiotic treatment had been effective.…”

“… 11 We conducted a review of medical literature and found 13 articles that described 14 cases of infections caused by C. subterminale ( Table 1 ). 4 – 16 The cases were reported from 1975 to 2022. Of the 14 cases, seven (50%) were reported after 2011, suggesting that detection rate has increased significantly over the last decade.…”

“…Our literature search identified 13 articles that described 14 case studies ( Table 1 ). 4 – 16 The case study was approved by Ningbo First Hospital Ethics Committee (2021RS117) and signed informed consent was obtained from the patient for publishing his anonymised data. The reporting of this study conforms to CARE guidelines.…”