Work

Deadly Diarrhea Caused by Co-Infection of Clostridium perfringens Type ST-865 and Clostridium difficile: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose: There is a paucity of evidence regarding the occurrence of fatalities resulting from diarrhea due to co-infection with C. perfringens and C. difficile . Here, we report a rare case of severe diarrhea caused by a novel ST-865 type of C. perfringens in conjunction with C. difficile to draw the attention of clinicians and microbiology laboratory staff. Case Descriptions: The patient is male, 69 years old and one month before admission, there was diarrhea without fever. The doctor administered anti-infective treatments such as levofloxacin, ceftriaxone, minocycline, gentamicin and tinidazole, and sent fecal samples for anaerobic culture. Two colonies, Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile , were cultivated and identified by sequencing as type F- Clostridium perfringens of ST-865 and Clostridium difficile carrying toxins A and B. Conclusion: The case we reported, which involved a severe case of diarrhea caused by a combined infection of ST-865 type F-type Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile carrying both A and B toxins, and resulting in eventual death, is extremely rare. Such cases should draw the attention of clinicians and microbiology laboratory personnel. Keywords: Clostridium perfringens , Clostridium difficile , diarrhea

Source: Infection and Drug Resistance

DOI: 10.2147/idr.s529341

Authors: Yuyao Hao, Jianhui Li, Shoujun Xie, Yanchao Liu, Hainan Wen

Institutions: Chengde Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College

Language: English

Topic: Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836