INVESTIGATION OF THE PATHOGENESIS OF MASSIVE HEMOLYSIS IN A CASE OF CLOSTRIDIUM-PERFRINGENS SEPTICEMIA

Citation
W. Hubl et al., INVESTIGATION OF THE PATHOGENESIS OF MASSIVE HEMOLYSIS IN A CASE OF CLOSTRIDIUM-PERFRINGENS SEPTICEMIA, Annals of hematology, 67(3), 1993, pp. 145-147
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
Hematology
Journal title
ISSN journal
09395555
Volume
67
Issue
3
Year of publication
1993
Pages
145 - 147
Database
ISI
SICI code
0939-5555(1993)67:3<145:IOTPOM>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
Massive hemolysis is a rare, usually fatal complication of Clostridium perfringens septicemia. Of all toxins produced by the bacterium, phos pholipase C (PLC) is believed to be the most likely cause of hemolysis . An influence of neuraminidase has often been suspected. In the prese nt study, a case of C perfringens septicemia with acute massive intrav ascular hemolysis is described. It led to death within 4 h of admissio n to the hospital. While the course of events was comparable to previo usly reported cases, we succeeded in gaining deeper insight into the p athogenesis by monitoring serum anti-T titer and quantifying serum PLC activity during the course of the disease. We excluded an effect of n euraminidase by a negative direct antiglobulin test, a negative anti-T lectin test, and a steady serum anti-T titer of 1 in 32. Serum PLC ac tivity, on the other hand, showed a nearly fivefold increase (6.0 to 2 7.3 U/l), which is consistent with the hypothesized dominant role of t his enzyme.