Maternal sepsis caused by <em>Clostridium perfringens</em>: A Case Report

Anaerobic pathogens are rarely isolated from infections due to many reasons including difficulties in accessing anaerobic transport media and anaerobic culture facilities. Of anaerobic pathogens isolated from uterine infections, Clostridium perfringens is reported more than other anaerobes. We describe a case of maternal sepsis following incomplete miscarriage without trauma in a previously healthy female. Her initial percutaneous blood culture signaled positive, and Gram stain revealed Gram positive large bacilli which failed to grow on standard culture media after 48 hours of aerobic incubation. However, a pure growth of C. perfringens was isolated after anaerobic incubation. The patient improved rapidly following evacuation and antibiotic combination of ceftriaxone and doxycycline. The usefulness of anaerobic culture, especially where anaerobic pathogens are likely to be the causative agents, is illustrated in this case report.