Colonic perforation and sepsis associated with Clostridium septicum as clinical presentation of colon cancer

Abstract

The association between some bacterial infections and colon cancer is well documented. The most described is Streptococcus bovis infection. Another bacteria related to intestinal neoplasms is Clostridium septicum. We present the case of a 62-year-old man who consulted for abdominal pain associated with diarrhea and fever. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis was performed, which revealed thickening of the cecum walls with an apparent break in continuity at its free edge. An exploratory laparotomy was performed which confirmed the presence of peritonitis and cecal perforation. A right hemicolectomy and terminal ileostomy were performed. The histopathological study revealed the presence of signet ring cell type adenocarcinoma associated with ischemia. The blood cultures results demonstrated the presence of C. septicum. The patient died due to fulminant sepsis.