Clostridium septicum sepsis and neutropenic enterocolitis in a patient treated with intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia.

We report a case of neutropenic enterocolitis complicated by Clostridium septicum sepsis following intensive chemotherapy to induce remission of acute myeloid leukemia. With the trend towards more intensive chemotherapy, particularly using regimens that induce gastrointestinal toxicity, it is important to recognize the circumstances under which sepsis due to C. septicum is likely to occur, so that appropriate treatment can be instituted promptly.