[Clostridium perfringens septicemia in drug-induced aplasia]

Abstract

Septicemia due to Clostridium perfringens during the course of acute leukemia is rare and often lethal particularly in childhood. Antibiotherapy is necessary but polymorphonuclear activity recovery is helpful. This can be done through transfusion or administration of colony stimulating factors. Here is a new case of such a septicemia in a 12 year-old female treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Of particular interest is the favourable outcome despite a high risk situation.