Clostridium subterminale septicemia in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract

Clostridium subterminale is a Clostridium species that has been rarely isolated in the blood of immunocompromised patients. We report a case of C. subterminale septicemia in an immunocompetent patient who presented with acute mediastinitis following spontaneous esophageal rupture.

Wound Botulism Caused by Clostridium subterminale after a Heroin Injection

“… 8-10 A separate case of bacteremia in an immunocompetent patient was found after an esophageal rupture. 11 Additionally, there were two cases reported C. subterminale in pleuropulmonary infections, two cases of soft tissue infection, and one case in an open fracture. 12-15 None of the studies mentioned above provide information regarding neurologic exam findings or toxin identification.…”

Botulism-like symptoms in an immunocompetent patient with Clostridium subterminale bacteremia

“…Examples from the literature include a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia with severe mucositis following allogenic cord blood transplantation [ 5 ], a neutropenic patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and perianal ulceration [ 6 ], a patient with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and possible mucosal damage during stent migration [ 7 ], an immunocompetent patient with bacteremia after spontaneous esophageal rupture [ 4 ], and a patient with bowel perforation. Interestingly, both our patient and the patient with bacteremia following esophageal rupture [ 4 ], developed botulism-like symptoms. Although we cannot confirm that our patient’s bulbar symptoms were related to C. subterminale infection, the organism shares characteristics of C. botulinum.…”

“…Clostridium subterminale are ubiquitous in nature, commonly isolated from soil and the gastrointestinal tract of animals, including humans. The bacteria are of low pathogenicity but have been linked to skin and soft tissue infections, primarily as a result of direct inoculation from the environment [ [1] , [2] , [3] ], mediastinitis [ 4 ], and bacteremia [ [4] , [5] , [6] ]. A potential link between botulism-like disease and C. subterminale infection was suggested in one report in a patient with C. subterminale bacteremia and mediastinitis [ 4 ], but not in other reported cases.…”

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

“…Clostridium species are anaerobic spore-forming gram-positive bacilli most often isolated from soil, as well as the gastrointestinal tract of animals and humans. Tetanus, sepsis and soft tissue infections can be the result of infection by a variety of Clostridial species [ [2] , [3] ]. Isolates of Clostridium subterminale have been documented in humans suffering from a variety of immunocompromised conditions with rare occurrence in patients who are immunocompetent [ [2] , [3] ].…”

“…Tetanus, sepsis and soft tissue infections can be the result of infection by a variety of Clostridial species [ [2] , [3] ]. Isolates of Clostridium subterminale have been documented in humans suffering from a variety of immunocompromised conditions with rare occurrence in patients who are immunocompetent [ [2] , [3] ]. There are a paucity of cases that have isolated Clostridium subterminale in head and neck infections [ 4 ].…”