Although the reasons are unclear, there is a clear association between C. septicum septicemia and carcinoma of the colon or cecum, carcinoma of the breast, and hematological malignancies (a high percentage of cases of invasive disease are associated with hematologic malignancy). Distant myonecrosis is the most lethal form of C. septicum infection. C. septicum infections are not closely linked with immunosuppression or cell-mediated immunity. Further investigation for these underlying conditions is necessary whenever C. septicum is identified in blood cultures.
Furthermore, each of the following species of anaerobes should be identified when recovered from clinically significant sites:
- Anaerobic cocci - Many strains resist clindamycin and metronidazole, antibiotics often given empirically for anaerobic infections.
- Bacteroides fragilis - It tends to be virulent and resistant to penicillin.
- Clostridium perfringens - Due to its association with rapidly progressive myonecrosis and gangrene.
- C. septicum - It is often related to colon carcinoma.
