Liver cirrhosis with synchronous gas gangrene and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis due toE. coli

Abstract

We report a case of synchronous gas gangrene and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis associated with liver cirrhosis. The patient was a 52-year-old man who was being followed for decompensated liver cirrhosis. He experienced sudden onset lower abdominal pain with distension and pain in the left leg. A bullous lesion, with crepitation, later appeared in the thigh and showed air-bubbles on X-ray. Eschericia coli was cultured from ascites and the bullous lesions; there was associated gas gangrene. 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 peritonitis and simultaneous gas gangrene.