Under the Skin: A Case Series of Clostridium sordellii Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections in Patients Who Inject Drugs

Abstract

Clostridium sordellii has been well-associated as a cause of obstetric infections but is a less commonly recognized organism of necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections (NSTI). C. sordelli infections are rare with only 14 cases reported in the literature to date. These infections are often associated with profound septic shock and the mortality rate remains high. We report four patients who presented with C. sordellii NSTI over a period of two years at an academic medical center. Notably, injection drug use was the main risk factor for infection in these patients. Appropriate management of C. sordellii NSTI necessitates a combination of antibiotics and emergent surgical intervention. However, despite these efforts, the mortality rate remains high, with three of the four patients dying. Clinicians should consider NSTI in the differential diagnosis when evaluating skin and soft tissue infections in people who inject drugs. Furthermore, it is imperative to educate patients who engage in injection drug use on the potential risks associated with NSTI and inform them of warning signs that warrant immediate medical attention. The devastating consequences of C. sordellii-associated NSTI in this vulnerable population can be mitigated by enhancing awareness and facilitating early intervention.