Necrotizing Clostridium subterminale infection with an odontogenic origin

Abstract

Clostridium subterminale is an anaerobic spore-forming bacterium rarely isolated in human infections. This case study presents a necrotizing C. subterminale infection stemming from a dental abscess that progressed into sepsis, a small pericardial effusion, moderate bilateral pulmonary effusions, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The management of the infection, along with other relevant cases is discussed.

Keywords

• Clostridium subterminale
• Clostridium
• Odontogenic infection
• Oral infection
• Necrotizing fasciitis
• Anaerobic Resistance