Citrobacter freundii sepsis in an immunosuppressed patient with pemphigus vulgaris

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Dec 17;11(1):e227091. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-227091.

Abstract

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune bullous disease that involves the skin and mucous membranes. Current therapies aim to decrease antibody production by means of the use of systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and, recently, rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. However, the chronic immune suppression could entail complications, like infections and secondary malignancies. We describe a case of a patient with pemphigus who developed a sepsis due to Citrobacter freundii infection.

Keywords: dermatology; infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Citrobacter freundii*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / blood
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / diagnosis*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Pemphigus / drug therapy*
  • Rituximab / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Rituximab