Clostridium perfringens septicemia with massive hemolysis.

Massive hemolysis and renal failure are rare complications of infection with Clostridium perfringens, resulting in a very high mortality rate (70-100%). The severity of the infection depends on the presence of underlying conditions such as malignancies and diabetes mellitus. In patients without underlying disorders, massive hemolysis and anuria have been observed in only eight cases, according to recent reports. This case report describes a 61-year-old man who died of C. perfringens septicemia with massive hemolysis and anuria less than 4 h after admittance to the hospital, despite rapid and adequate antibiotic treatment. No focal infection was found.