K. Murata et al., LIVER-CIRRHOSIS WITH SYNCHRONOUS GAS-GANGRENE AND SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS DUE TO ESCHERICHIA-COLI, Journal of gastroenterology, 32(2), 1997, pp. 264-267
We report a case of synchronous gas gangrene and spontaneous bacterial
peritonitis associated with liver cirrhosis. The patient was a 52-yea
r-old man who was being followed for decompensated liver cirrhosis. He
experienced sudden onset lower abdominal pain with distension and pai
n in the left leg. A bullous lesion, with crepitation, later appeared
in the thigh and showed air-bubbles on X-ray. Eschericia coli was cult
ured from ascites and the bullous lesions; there was associated gas ga
ngrene. The patient died of bacteremia with disseminated intravascular
coagulopathy 26 h after admission, despite receiving intensive care.
We discuss the route of bacteria causing the spontaneous bacterial per
itonitis and simultaneous gas gangrene.