Abstract

BACKGROUND: Clostridium perfringens is an unusual pathogen responsible for the development of a gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess. Progression to septicemia with this infection has amplified case fatality rates.

CASE REPORT: We report a case of an 81-year-old lady with pyogenic liver abscess with gas formation that was preceded by an acute gastroenteritis. The most common precipitating factors are invasive procedures and immunosuppression. Clostridium perfringens was unexpectedly isolated in the drained abscess, as well as blood. It is a normal inhabitant of the human bowel and a common cause of food poisoning, notoriously leading to tissue necrosis and gas gangrene.

CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess and bacteremia progressing to fatal septic shock, caused by an uncommon Clostridium perfringens isolate.

Keywords: Clostridium Infections - therapy, Aged, 80 and over, Clostridium perfringens, Fatal Outcome, Gastroenteritis - therapy, Liver Abscess, Pyogenic - therapy, Multiple Organ Failure - therapy, Shock, Septic - microbiology