Treatment of severe hemolytic anemia caused by Clostridium perfringens sepsis in a liver transplant recipient.

TitleTreatment of severe hemolytic anemia caused by Clostridium perfringens sepsis in a liver transplant recipient.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsWatt J, Amini A, Mosier J, Gustafson M, Wynne JL, Friese R, Gruessner RWG, Rhee P, O'Keeffe T
JournalSurg Infect (Larchmt)
Volume13
Issue1
Pagination60-2
Date Published2012 Feb
ISSN Number1557-8674
KeywordsAnemia, Hemolytic, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Clostridium Infections, Clostridium perfringens, Drug Therapy, Combination, Early Diagnosis, Humans, Liver Transplantation, Male, Middle Aged, Postoperative Complications, Renal Dialysis, Sepsis, Treatment Outcome
Abstract

<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>Clostridium perfringens bacteremia accompanied by extensive intravascular hemolysis is an almost inescapably fatal infection.</p>
<p><b>METHODS: </b>Case report and literature review.</p>
<p><b>RESULTS: </b>A 52-year-old man with a recent history of liver transplantation developed sepsis and severe hemolytic anemia. The patient had multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and required aggressive transfusion, antibiotics, and continuous hemodialysis. Blood cultures grew C. perfringens. With appropriate resuscitation and antibiotic treatment, the patient had a complete, although complicated recovery.</p>
<p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>This is the first reported case of a liver transplant patient developing fulminant C. perfringens sepsis with hemolysis. This infection usually kills patients within hours of presentation. Early recognition and aggressive treatment is necessary to avoid this outcome.</p>
DOI10.1089/sur.2010.092
Alternate JournalSurg Infect (Larchmt)
PubMed ID22316146
Faculty Reference: 
Richard Amini, MD
Jarrod Mosier, MD
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