infectious diseases
Clostridial Necrotizing Enteritis
Neutropenic enterocolitis (typhlitis)
This similar life-threatening syndrome develops in the cecum of neutropenic patients (eg, those with leukemia or receiving cancer chemotherapy). It may be associated with sepsis due toC. septicum. Symptoms of neutropenic enterocolitis are fever, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, and diarrhea. Diagnosisof neutropenic enterocolitis is based on Symptoms The presence of severe neutropenia Results of abdominal CT and blood and stool cultures and toxin tests Neutropenic enterocolitis must be distinguished fromClostridioides(formerlyClostridium)difficile–induced diarrhea, graft-vs-host disease, and colitis due to cytomegalovirus. Treatmentof neutropenic enterocolitis is with antibiotics, but surgery may be necessary. 