Clostridium perfringens bacteremia caused by choledocholithiasis in the absence of gallbladder stones

World J Gastroenterol. 2012 Oct 21;18(39):5632-4. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i39.5632.

Abstract

A 67-years-old male presented with periumbilical abdominal pain, fever and jaundice. His anaerobic blood culture was positive for clostridium perfringens. Computed tomogram scan of the abdomen and abdominal ultrasound showed normal gallbladder and common bile duct (CBD). Subsequently magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticogram showed choledocholithiasis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticogramwith sphincterotomy and CBD stone extraction was performed. The patient progressively improved with antibiotic therapy Choledocholithiasis should be considered as a source of clostridium perfringens bacteremia especially in the setting of elevated liver enzymes with cholestatic pattern.

Keywords: Bacteremia; Choledocholithiasis; Clostridium perfringens.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bacteremia / microbiology*
  • Choledocholithiasis / complications*
  • Clostridium Infections / microbiology*
  • Clostridium perfringens / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Male