Necrotizing clostridial pneumonia: A case report and review of the literature

Clostridial species infecting the pleuropulmonary structures characteristically cause a rapidly progressing cavitary pneumonia. Various risk factors contribute to these infections, and the clinical course can range from a mild to a highly virulent illness, even leading to death. If recognized early, however, the severity of the illness can be curbed with appropriate antibiotic therapy. The case of necrotizing clostridial pneumonia presented here documents remote pulmonary emboli as a newly established risk factor for these infections.