Fulminating clostridial septicemia in children treated for lymphoproliferative disorders.

Overwhelming Clostridium septicum infection in 2 children, 1 and 4 yr old, with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B-cell non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma, respectively, as well as fatal C. perfringens infection in a 3-yr-old child with histiocytosis-X are reported. A neutropenic patient with fever, abdominal symptoms and hypotension--but otherwise being well--must be suspected of having clostridial disease. The most alarming feature is shock and rapid course.