A case of multiple recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection with severe hematochezia in an immunocompromised host

Anaerobe. 2016 Dec:42:31-32. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.06.010. Epub 2016 Jul 1.

Abstract

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is increasing in incidence and severity. Clinically, diarrhea frequently occurs, but severe hematochezia is rarely seen with CDI. We describe here a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipient who experienced life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding due to severe CDI. Subsequent stool surveillance and molecular typing observed the patient who had two episodes of recurrence with a new strain of C. difficile distinct from the initial infection. We analyze C. difficile strains obtained from the patient, and also discuss the diagnosis and treatment of this case.

Keywords: Clostridium difficile infection; Multilocus sequence typing (MLST); Treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Clostridioides difficile / genetics
  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification*
  • Clostridium Infections / diagnosis
  • Clostridium Infections / immunology*
  • Clostridium Infections / microbiology
  • Diarrhea / diagnosis
  • Diarrhea / immunology*
  • Diarrhea / microbiology
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / immunology*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / microbiology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / immunology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / pathology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Young Adult