Report of two cases of Clostridium perfringens infection leading to lethal intravascular hemolysis
10.3760/cma.j.cn114452-20250428-00263
- VernacularTitle:产气荚膜梭菌感染导致致死性血管内溶血2例
- Author:
Wenqin ZHANG
1
;
Jinjing TIAN
;
Qingyue LIU
;
Yingchao LIU
Author Information
1. 山东省聊城市第二人民医院检验科，临清 252600
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Clostridium perfringens;
Bloodstream infection;
Intravascular hemolysis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine
2025;48(11):1465-1469
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Case 1 A 68-year-old male patient presented with poor appetite persisting for over 2 months and had been diagnosed with liver cancer 7 days prior. He was admitted to Liaocheng Second People′s Hospital on October 17, 2017. On October 18, 2017, at 8:00, the patient underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization under local anesthesia. At 17:30, the patient developed a fever. At 20:00, "port wine-colored" urine was noted during catheterization, prompting transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) for enhanced treatment. Case 2 A 67-year-old male patient with a previous diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma presented to the Emergency Department of Liaocheng Second People′s Hospital at 17:40 on March 25, 2025, due to "unconsciousness for one hour". Routine blood testing revealed significantly decreased white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Considering the critical condition, the patient was transferred to the ICU. At 19:30, "port wine-colored" urine was observed in the urinary catheter. Both cases showed evident signs of hemolysis in blood samples, rapid disease progression, with fatal outcomes occurring within a short period. Blood cultures from both patients signaled positive in anaerobic bottles. Identification using the bioMérieux VITEK 2 COMPACT ANC card confirmed Clostridium perfringens. Bloodstream infections caused by Clostridium perfringens leading to such severe intravascular hemolysis are rare. The disease course is notoriously aggressive. In clinical practice, early recognition of this infection is paramount.
