Ian J Woolley1, Robert L Love, Alan C Street. 1. Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. Ian.Woolley@med.monash.edu.au
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Clostridium septicum is an unusual human pathogen associated with colorectal malignancy and gas gangrene. METHODS: A case compilation and literature review are presented. RESULTS: We report the case of an individual with a comminuted tibial fracture complicated by a superficial surgical site infection with C. septicum nine weeks after the original injury and internal fixation, which was complicated by a secondary bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: This is a unique case in the literature, but it is suggested that the use of cephalosporins as prophylaxis for contaminated wounds may be inferior to penicillins to prevent clostridial infections.
BACKGROUND:Clostridium septicum is an unusual human pathogen associated with colorectal malignancy and gas gangrene. METHODS: A case compilation and literature review are presented. RESULTS: We report the case of an individual with a comminuted tibial fracture complicated by a superficial surgical site infection with C. septicum nine weeks after the original injury and internal fixation, which was complicated by a secondary bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: This is a unique case in the literature, but it is suggested that the use of cephalosporins as prophylaxis for contaminated wounds may be inferior to penicillins to prevent clostridial infections.