A Fulminating Case of Edwardsiella tarda Septicemia with Necrotizing Fasciitis

: A 67-year-old Japanese male, suffering from liver cirrhosis with hepatoma, was admitted to the Yokohama National Hospital because of ascites retention. On physical examination, his abdomen was massively distended with ascites and his lower extremities were edematous. Laboratory findings on admission revealed hypoalbuminemia, moderate icterus, pancytopenia and hepatitis C virus antibody positivity. After admission, abdominal distention and edema were improved with the use of diuretics. On the 15th day of hospitalization, the patient noted diarrhea and bowel movements that occurred 10 times a day. On the following day, his body temperature rose to over 39 degrees C. On the morning of the 17th day, he complained of severe pain in the right lower extremity. Swelling and erythema over his right lower leg were evident. The skin lesion spread rapidly over the knee and became necrotic. His right leg became increasingly swollen with the development of edema and hemorrhagic bullae. About 4 hrs after the emergence of the skin lesion, his blood pressure fell to less than 60 mmHg. Laboratory findings suggested disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure due to serious bacterial infection. In spite of vigorous treatment including administration of antibiotics, dopamine, gabexate mesilate and plasma, he did not recover from the state of shock and died about 14 hrs after the appearance of leg pain. Bacterial culture of the blood and contents of the bullae grew a gram negative rod identified as Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda). Histological findings showed necrotizing fasciitis. E. tarda has recently become recognized as a pathogenic bacteria, particularly in patients with an underlying illness. This is the first reported case of E. tarda septicemia with necrotizing fasciitis.