Clostridium botulinum – like organism bacteremia in a user of black tar heroin

Abstract

Wound botulism due to introduction of the anaerobic bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, into otherwise sterile, relatively anaerobic tissue is a known complication of black tar heroin use. The treatment of wound botulism requires prompt initiation of antitoxin as well as antimicrobial therapy. We report the case of a patient with polymicrobial bacteremia that included a Clostridium botulinum-like organism who underwent successful treatment of their anaerobic infection with antibiotics and surgical debridement.

Keywords

• Clostridium botulinum
• Clostridium sporogenes
• Bacteremia
• Black tar heroin