Identification of Clostridium septicum in a tubo-ovarian abscess:  A rare case and review of the literature

Ali Yavuzcan; Mete Çağlar; Serdar Dilbaz; Selahattin Kumru; Fatma Avcıoğlu; Yusuf Üstün

doi:10.2298/3719

Ali Yavuzcan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Düzce University Faculty of Medicine, Düzce, Turkey
Mete Çağlar Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Düzce University Faculty of Medicine, Düzce, Turkey
Serdar Dilbaz Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Düzce University Faculty of Medicine, Düzce, Turkey
Selahattin Kumru Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Düzce University Faculty of Medicine, Düzce, Turkey
Fatma Avcıoğlu Department of Microbiology, Düzce University Faculty of Medicine, Düzce, Turkey
Yusuf Üstün Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Düzce University Faculty of Medicine, Düzce, Turkey

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/3719

Keywords: pelvic inflammatory disease, abscess, rupture, clostridium septicum, gynecologic surgical procedures,

Abstract

Introduction. Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a conglomerated mass of pelvic organs including the tube, the ovary, and the bowel. The most commonly isolated organisms from TOAs are Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacteroides species. Case Report. We reported a case of Clostridium septicum (C. septicum) infection from a ruptured TOA with atypical clinical features. Culture of intra-abdominal free fluid obtained during surgery yielded C. septicum. VITEK II (bioMérieux, France) automated system was used for advanced identification of the bacteria. Parenteral clindamycin in combination with an aminoglycoside was used. The patient was discharged 19 days after the surgery and was clinically asymptomatic 6 months after the surgery. Conclusion. The differential diagnosis of TOA caused by C. septicum can be difficult, due to the lack of the symptoms. Tissues infected with C. septicum can become necrotic. A combination of early, adequate antibiotic therapy and surgery is the key point of the treatment.

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