Fulminant phlegmonitis of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum due to Bacillus thuringiensis

World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Mar 28;21(12):3741-5. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i12.3741.

Abstract

We report a case of phlegmonitis of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum in patient in an immunocompromised state. Culture of gastric juice and blood yielded Bacillus thuringiensis. This case showed that even low-virulence bacilli can cause lethal gastrointestinal phlegmonous gastritis in conditions of immunodeficiency.

Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis; Duodenum; Esophagus; Immunocompromised state; Phlegmonous gastritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / immunology
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / isolation & purification*
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / pathogenicity
  • Duodenitis / diagnosis
  • Duodenitis / immunology
  • Duodenitis / microbiology*
  • Duodenitis / therapy
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
  • Esophagitis / diagnosis
  • Esophagitis / immunology
  • Esophagitis / microbiology*
  • Esophagitis / therapy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Gastritis / diagnosis
  • Gastritis / immunology
  • Gastritis / microbiology*
  • Gastritis / therapy
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / immunology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Virulence