Clostridium septicum brain abscess

BMJ Case Rep. 2022 Nov 21;15(11):e251719. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-251719.

Abstract

We present a previously well woman in her 70s who was admitted for 2 weeks of progressively worsening abdominal pain, high fever and drowsiness. She was eventually diagnosed with Clostridium septicum brain abscess, meningoencephalitis and ventriculitis. The diagnosis was challenging as cerebrospinal fluid cultures were negative and a microbiological diagnosis was only obtained on brain biopsy. Despite early initiation of antibiotics that would have been effective against C. septicum, her central nervous system (CNS) infection progressed, and she eventually succumbed to the infection. Infections with C. septicum are typically fulminant and associated with high mortality. In a patient with a CNS infection and concomitant abdominal manifestations, infection with C. septicum should be considered.

Keywords: Adult intensive care; Colon cancer; Hepatitis and other GI infections; Infection (neurology).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / drug therapy
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain Abscess* / complications
  • Brain Abscess* / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Abscess* / drug therapy
  • Clostridium Infections* / complications
  • Clostridium Infections* / diagnosis
  • Clostridium Infections* / drug therapy
  • Clostridium septicum*
  • Female
  • Humans

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents