Clostridium ramosum bacteremia: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND

Clostridium ramosum is a common enteric anaerobe but infrequently also a cause of pathologic infection.

METHODS

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS

We reviewed 12 case reports describing infection with C. ramosum. When pathogenic, C. ramosum is cultured most commonly from the inner ear, anaerobic blood samples, or abscesses. Patients with such infections fall into two demographic groups, consisting of young children with ear infections or immunocompromised adults with bacteremia. Resistance of C. ramosum to antibiotics is uncommon.

CONCLUSION

Clostridium ramosum is a common but generally commensal bacterial species. Rarely, it becomes pathogenic in young children or immunosuppressed adults.