Fatal Neutropenic Colitis and Clostridium Septicum Bacteremia in a Breast Cancer Patient

Abstract

A fatal case of 67-year-old female with metastatic breast cancer on chemotherapy complicated with febrile neutropenia, colitis and sepsis due to Clostridium septicum is presented. Important clinical symptoms, laboratory and radiology findings together with therapy and outcome of neuropenic colitis are also discussed.

Clostridium bacteremia and its implications: A case report

“…Our patient unfortunately did not undergo a CT of the abdomen until almost halfway through the hospitalization, which likely delayed the overall recovery. This case also shows the importance of accurately identifying the causative microbe and providing timely and adequate treatment, since clostridium bacteremia has a high rate of almost 60% mortality [10] .…”

“…There have not been many reported cases of patients like ours with initially asymptomatic colonic perforations causing Clostridium bacteremia. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hypotension, and acute hemolysis have been associated with an increased 7-day mortality [10] .…”