Necrotizing fasciitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae in a diabetic patient - case report

Abstract

AIMS: To report an unusual case of necrotizing fasciitis and septic shock caused by Streptococcus agalactiae, which affected a patient with diabetes mellitus. This analysis was performed using data from medical records and laboratory tests results, who was admitted to the University Hospital of Santa Maria, in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. CASE DESCRIPTION: Female patient, 73 years old, diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and micronodular cirrhosis, was admitted with suspected septicemia simultaneous with an infection in the left lower limb, which initial diagnostic hypothesis was cellulitis. Based on characteristics of the clinical picture, the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis was done. Blood cultures from two different sites were positive for S. agalactiae. The patient died with septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: This case report emphasizes the severity of necrotizing fasciitis, which may occur especially in patients with predisposing factors such as diabetes mellitus and cirrhosis.