Marco Visicaro, Giacomo Franceschi, Filippo Calandra Buonaura, Irene Venturelli, Claudia Venturelli, Mario Sarti, Giulia Fregni Serpini, Antonella Grottola, Pecorari Monica, Cristina Mussini, Cinzia Puzzolante
C. celatum group infections are rare and require a multidisciplinary approach for optimal management. 16S rDNA sequencing has proven essential for accurate identification. Further research is needed to better understand the pathogenic role of these bacteria and to establish optimal therapeutic strategies.
BACKGROUND: Clostridium saudiense is a commensal bacterium of the human gut, recently included in the Clostridium celatum group. Infections caused by these pathogens are rarely reported, and their pathogenic mechanisms are not yet well understood.
CASE PRESENTATION/RESULTS: We describe the case of an 82-year-old woman with bacteremia and an iliopsoas abscess due to C. saudiense. Blood cultures and abscess fluid sample confirmed the presence of C. saudiense through 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The patient underwent a three-week course of teicoplanin, guided by therapeutic drug monitoring, for a total duration of three months. A literature review identified six additional cases of C. celatum group infections, emphasizing the rarity of the condition, the variability of clinical manifestations and the therapeutic approaches followed. All cases had a favorable outcome.
CONCLUSION: C. celatum group infections are rare and require a multidisciplinary approach for optimal management. 16S rDNA sequencing has proven essential for accurate identification. Further research is needed to better understand the pathogenic role of these bacteria and to establish optimal therapeutic strategies.