Case History
A 55 year old male presented to the emergency department (ED) with altered mental status (AMS). His past medical history includes stage 4 pancreatic cancer with known invasion into the distal splenic vein. Currently undergoing chemotherapy, his last infusion was one week prior to presentation. On physical exam, the patient is a cachectic male with dry mucous membranes, scleral icterus, hypotension (79/37), hypothermia (35o C), tachypnea (Respiratory Rate of 20/min) and tachycardia (pulse up to 130s). Initial labs were ordered including blood cultures and were significant for hypoglycemia (40mg/dL), pancytopenia, mild liver function test abnormalities, an ammonia level of 80 µmol/L and lactate of 11.2 mmol/L. It was concluded that the AMS resulted as a consequence of hypoglycemia. However, there was also concern for intracranial pathology vs. stroke vs. metastatic disease. Brain imaging showed no obvious lesion or mass. The cause of the hypotension was uncertain but could be a result of volume depletion or sepsis. Empiric vancomycin and cefepime were initiated in the ED. However, the patient decompensated, developing mid-abdominal and periumbilical ecchymoses suspicious for a retroperitoneal hemorrhage. Despite aggressive therapy, he expired in the ED.
Laboratory Identification
An anaerobic blood culture bottle flagged positive at 5 hours incubation. A gram stain showed large, boxy, gram positive rods without spores (Image 1). Brucella blood agar was inoculated and incubated anaerobically. Following overnight incubation, the surface of the plate showed a subtle film of growth covering the plate and detectable hemolysis (Image 2). No discreet colonies were identified. A catalase test was performed and was negative. Definitive identification of Clostridium septicum was obtained by MALDI-TOF.
Discussion
Clostridium septicum is an anaerobic gram positive bacillus that can produce spores; however, spores are not frequently seen, especially in nutrient-rich environments. Spores, when present, are typically oval and located subterminally. Infection by C. septicum was once thought to be extremely rare, but improvements in anaerobic laboratory techniques have allowed for the discovery of the true potential of this agent. C. septicum is one of several bacteria that can cause myonecrosis (i.e., gas gangrene). Infections are typically seen in settings of immunodeficiency, trauma, surgery, malignancy, skin infections/burns, and septic abortions. The colon may promote the growth of C. septicum better than other anatomic sites due to its anaerobic conditions. As one of the more aggressive etiologies of gas gangrene, C. septicum infection progresses very rapidly, with a mortality rate of approximately 79% in adults, typically occurring within 48 hours of infection. Symptoms of infection include pain, described as a heaviness or pressure that is disproportionate to physical findings, tachycardia, and hypotension. Tissue necrosis then causes edema and ischemia resulting in metabolic acidosis, fever, and renal failure. The carbon dioxide and hydrogen produced during the growth of the organism move through tissue planes, causing their separation, producing features characteristic of palpable emphysema (i.e., crepitus). This also results in a magenta-bronze skin discoloration and bulla filled with a foul-smelling serosanguinous fluid.
Four toxins have been isolated from C. septicum: the lethal alpha toxin, DNase beta-toxin, hyaluronidase gamma toxin, and the thiol-activated/septicolysin delta toxin. Alpha toxin causes intravascular hemolysis and tissue necrosis and is well known as the primary virulence factor of C. septicum.
C. septicum derived gas gangrene has shown strong correlations with increased levels of malignancy. Patients with C. septicum infections may have an occult colon cancer or a tumor that has metastasized to the colon. C. septicum bacteremia is also associated with typhlitis (defined as inflammation of the cecum that can extend proximally into the terminal ileum or distally into the ascending colon), which can develop in patients with hematologic malignancy receiving chemotherapy. Because the organism may be harbored in the gastrointestinal tract, the organism may gain access to the bloodstream through the ileocecal region.
Therapy includes antibiotics and surgical debridement (with occasional amputation). For antibiotic selection, typical anaerobic coverage includes piperacillin/tazobactam, ampicillin/sulbactam, metronidazole or meropenem. Vancomycin is also effective. Susceptibility testing is not typically performed; moreover, the CLSI makes an annual antibiogram which can be used as a guide.
Key points
- C. septicum often has swarming growth that covers the plate surface.
- Spontaneous myonecrosis with C. septicum bacteremia can be an indicator of possible occult colonic malignancy.
- C. septicum can be associated with typhlitis in neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancy undergoing chemotherapy.
References
- Smith-Slatas CL, Bourque M, and Salazar JC (2006). Clostridium septicum infections in children: a case report and review of the literature. Pediatrics 117(4): e796-e805.
- Alpern, RJ and Dowell, VR (1969). “Clostridium septicum infections and malignancy”. JAMA. 209: 385–388.
- Ballard, J, Crabtree, J, Roe, BA, and Tweten, RK (1995). “The primary structure of Clostridium septicum alpha-toxin exhibits similarity with that of Aeromonas hydrophila aerolysin”. Infection and Immunity. 63 (1):340–344.
- Sidhu JS, Mandal A, Virk J, and Gayam V (2019). “Early detection of colon cancer following incidental finding of Clostridium septicum bacteremia”. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. Jan-Dec;7:2324709619832050.
- Srivastava I, Aldape MJ, Bryant AE, and Stevens DL. (2017). “Spontaneous C. septicum gas gangrene: A literature review” Anaerobe. Dec;48:165-171
–Xiang Xu, MD, PhD and Dominick Cavuoti, DO contributed to this case.
-Clare McCormick-Baw, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Microbiology at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. he has a passion for teaching about laboratory medicine in general and the best uses of the microbiology lab in particular.
Lablogatory 