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Non‐spore‐forming clostridial bacteremia
Author(s) -
Grasberger Robert C.,
Pietrafitta Joseph J.,
Deckers Peter J.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930250311
Subject(s) - bacteremia , medicine , clostridium , mortality rate , spore , pathogen , microbiology and biotechnology , blood culture , bacteria , gastroenterology , intensive care medicine , immunology , biology , antibiotics , genetics
Abstract The significance of the non‐spore‐forming clostridium as a blood‐borne pathogen has been underemphasized. Over a 7‐year period, these bacteria were cultured 40 times in 30 patients. Overall mortality rate for non‐spore‐forming clostridial bacteremia was 39%. Patients with polymicrobial infections had a 58% mortality rate, while those with only clostridium in their blood had a mortality of 23%. Mortality increased as the number of positive cultures. Patients who were clinically septic at the time of their cultures fared poorly. Advanced age and underlying malignant disease were associated with increased mortality. Patients who have positive blood cultures for non‐spore‐forming clostridium are at a significant risk and should be treated aggressively.