CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · J Lab Physicians 2013; 5(01): 58-59
DOI: 10.4103/0974-2727.115924
Case Report

Iatrogenic Infection of Clostridium welchii Following Intramuscular Injection of Sodium Diclofenac

Hemavathi Sathyanarayana
Department of Microbiology, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Bangalore, India
,
Leela Rani
Department of Microbiology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Bangalore, India
,
R Rajendran
Department of Microbiology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Bangalore, India
,
Pooja Sarmah
Department of Microbiology, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Bangalore, India
› Author Affiliations
Source of Support: Nil

ABSTRACT

Injection site abscess is an iatrogenic infection. Intramuscular (IM) injection is a common route to administer medication. Microorganisms known to cause injection site abscess are Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli commonly, Atypical mycobacteria, Clostridium species rarely. Gas gangrene is a necrotic infection of soft tissue with high mortality, often necessitating amputation in order to control the infection. Here, presenting a case of gas gangrene in a 19-year-old healthy male, who developed a life-threatening infection after IM injection of sodium diclofenac. Prompt clinical diagnosis, laboratory support, and timely surgical intervention saved the patient’s life.



Publication History

Article published online:
07 April 2020

© 2013.

Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Ltd.
A-12, Second Floor, Sector -2, NOIDA -201301, India

 
  • REFERENCES

  • 1 Harvey PW, Purnell GV. Fatal case of gas gangrene associated with intramuscular injection. Br Med J 1968;1:744-6.
  • 2 Rubbo SD, Gardner JF. Intramuscular injection and gas gangrene. Br Med J 1968;241-2.
  • 3 Aggelidakis J, Lasithiotakis K, Topalidou A, Koutroumpas J, Kouvidis G, Katonis P. Limb salvage after gas gangrene: A case report and review of the literature. World J Emerg Surg 2011;6:28.
  • 4 Zelić M, Kunišek L, Mendrila D, Gudelj M, Abram M, Uravić M. Endogenous gas gangrene after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. West Indian Med J 2011;60:96.
  • 5 Feldman MJ, Prosciak M, Maleki Z, Milner SM. Gas gangrene. J Surg Radiol 2010;1:100-1.
  • 6 Myers G, Ngoi SS, Cennerazzo W, Harris L, DeCosse JJ. Clostridial septicemia in an urban hospital. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1992;174:291-6.
  • 7 van Hook R, Vandevelde AG. Gas gangrene after intramuscular injection of epinephrine: Report of a fatal case. Ann Intern Med 1975;83:669-70.
  • 8 Peerapur BV, Mantur BG, Uppin BC, Patil AV. Gas gangrene following intramuscular injection of vitamin B-Complex: Report of a fatal case. Indian J Med Microbiol 2002;20:169.
  • 9 Hoi Ho. Gas Gangrene. Available from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/217943-overview#a0104 [Last accessed on 2012 Mar 15].