Fulminant Septicemic Syndrome of Bacillus cereus in a Leukemic Patient

Nobu AKIYAMA; Kinuko MITANI; Yuji TANAKA; Yutaka HANAZONO; Noriko MOTOI; Mirjana ZARKOVIC; Tsuyoshi TANGE; Hisamaru HIRAI; Yoshio YAZAKI

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.36.221

Fulminant Septicemic Syndrome of Bacillus cereus in a Leukemic Patient

Nobu AKIYAMA, Kinuko MITANI, Yuji TANAKA, Yutaka HANAZONO, Noriko MOTOI, Mirjana ZARKOVIC, Tsuyoshi TANGE, Hisamaru HIRAI, Yoshio YAZAKI

Author information

Nobu AKIYAMA
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo
Hematology Section, Department of Internal Medicine IV, School of Medicine, Kitasato University
Kinuko MITANI
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo
Yuji TANAKA
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo
Yutaka HANAZONO
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo
Noriko MOTOI
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo
Mirjana ZARKOVIC
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo
Tsuyoshi TANGE
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo
Hisamaru HIRAI
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo
Yoshio YAZAKI
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo

Keywords: subarachnoid hemorrhage, coagulation necrosis

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1997 Volume 36 Issue 3 Pages 221-226

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.36.221

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Abstract

We report a rapidly fatal Bacillus cereus septicemia in a leukemic patient receiving remission-induction therapy. Symptoms resembling food poisoning and fever preceded coma accompanied by neurologic abnormalities. Autopsy revealed necrotizing leptomeningitis with subarachnoid hemorrhage and coagulation necrosis of the liver with bacterial infiltration. These clinicopathologic findings were closely similar to those of reported cases. Because of a rapidly fatal clinical course, suspicion of this syndrome early in the course is important to determine an appropriate treatment. Therefore, we propose that this type of septicemia should be termed as fulminant septicemic syndrome of Bacillus cereus.
(Internal Medicine 36: 221-226, 1997)

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