A case report on Clostridium baratti in placenta: pathogen or commensal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263228Keywords:
Anaerobic bacteria, Clostridium baratti, Antimicrobial susceptibility, Anaerobic culture, Placenta culture, RareAbstract
Clostridium baratti is a rarely reported anaerobic bacterium, primarily isolated from immunocompromised patients. We report a case of C. baratti isolated from placental tissue in a 32-week pre-rupture of membranes patient with acute chorioamnionitis. The mother presented with fever, elevated inflammatory markers (CRP 42 mg/l, WBC 16,500/μl), and fetal tachycardia. Placental culture revealed C. baratti (anaerobic culture) and non-pathogenic organisms (aerobic culture). The neonate developed early-onset sepsis with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, elevated CRP, and coagulopathy. Neonatal blood culture grew commensals; anaerobic cultures were not obtained on day 0. Four lines of evidence- isolation during active maternal infection, polymicrobial ascending flora, growth in infected tissue, temporal relationship to neonatal sepsis, coverage by empiric metronidazole, and isolation from protected placental tissue, may suggest C. baratti as pathogenic. This case suggests C. baratti as a pathogen in obstetric-neonatal infections and highlights the need for routine anaerobic culture of placental tissue and anaerobic blood cultures from chorioamnionitis-exposed neonates.
References
Xie Z, Chen Z, Chai Y, Yao W, Ma G. Unveiling the placental bacterial microbiota: implications for maternal and infant health. Front Physiol. 2025;16:1544216.
Yu X, Zhang Y, Shi LJ, Wang H. Dual Role of the Endometrial Microbiome-Immune Axis: From Endometrial Homeostasis to Reproductive Disorders. Int J Womens Health. 2026;18:559370.
Lima CO, da Rocha VM, Ferreira EO, Filho JS, Serradas LR, Silva RO, et al. Clostridium baratii: a rare case of pneumonia associated with an Alzheimer patient in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. JMM Case Rep. 2016;3(4):e005041.
Sood A, Ray P, Angrup A. Anaerobic Gram-Negative Bacteria: Role as a Reservoir of Antibiotic Resistance. Antibiotics. 2023;12(5):942.
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Methods for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Anaerobic Bacteria. 9th ed. Wayne (PA): Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2018. CLSI document M11-Ed9E.
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. 35th ed. Wayne (PA): Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2025. CLSI document M100. 2025.
Hall JD, McCroskey LM, Pincomb BJ, Hatheway CL. Isolation of an organism resembling Clostridium barati which produces type F botulinal toxin from an infant with botulism. J Clin Microbiol. 1985;21(4):654-5.
Iaria C, Stassi G, Salpietro DC, La Mazza A, Silipigni L, Arena A, et al. Clostridium baratii bacteremia associated with Kawasaki syndrome. First case report. New Microbiol. 2007;30(4):481-4.
Shu CC, Yao M, Hung CC, Ku SC, Yu CJ, Chang YL. Lung abscess due to Clostridium baratii infection in a patient with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. J Clin Microbiol. 2008;46(3):1153-4.
Huang WC, Lee WS, Chang T, Ou TY, Lam C. Emphysematous cholecystitis complicating liver abscess due to Clostridium baratii infection. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2012;45(5):390-2.
Hannett GE, Schaffzin JK, Davis SW, Fage MP, Schoonmaker-Bopp D, Dumas NB, et al. Two cases of adult botulism caused by botulinum neurotoxin producing Clostridium baratii. Anaerobe. 2014;30:178-80.
Tréhard H, Poujol I, Mazuet C, Blanc Q, Gillet Y, Rossignol F, et al. A cluster of three cases of botulism due to Clostridium baratii type F, France, August 2015. Euro Surveill. 2016;21(4).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
