CLOSTRIDIUM-SORDELLII BACTEREMIA - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW

Clostridium sordellii is a gram-positive, anaerobic bacillus that has rarely been implicated as a human pathogen. It produces several exotoxins, which contribute to the progressive edema and refractory shock frequently seen with human infection. There have been eight prior reports of bacteremic C sordellii infection and seven prior reports of nonbacteremic infections not due to myonecrosis of skeletal muscle. Mortality was 50% in the bacteremic group and 71% in the nonbacteremic group. Mortality correlated with both shock and leukemoid reaction at presentation. We present a case of C sordellii sepsis in an asplenic patient with sickle, beta thalassemia and inflammatory bowel disease, and we review the literature.