Septic embolism
Encyclopedia
A septic embolism is a type of embolism
that is infected with bacteria
, resulting in the formation of pus
. These may become dangerous if dislodged from their original location. Like other emboli, a septic embolism may be fatal.
One of the common microbes that can lead to widespread dissemination of septic emboli is Fusobacterium necrophorum, a Gram negative anaerobic bacillus. Fusobacteria are commensal organisms in the oral cavity.
F.necrophorum and F.nucleatum are the most important among the non-spore forming anaerobic bacilli in causing human infections. F.necroporum may occasinally cause septicaemia with metastatic abcesses(Lemierre's syndrome).
, potentially causing a clot.
, considering the similarity in shape and size. However, septic emboli usually lodge in the heart valve
s, where there are no lymph nodes.
Embolism
In medicine, an embolism is the event of lodging of an embolus into a narrow capillary vessel of an arterial bed which causes a blockage in a distant part of the body.Embolization is...
that is infected with bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
, resulting in the formation of pus
Pus
Pus is a viscous exudate, typically whitish-yellow, yellow, or yellow-brown, formed at the site of inflammatory during infection. An accumulation of pus in an enclosed tissue space is known as an abscess, whereas a visible collection of pus within or beneath the epidermis is known as a pustule or...
. These may become dangerous if dislodged from their original location. Like other emboli, a septic embolism may be fatal.
One of the common microbes that can lead to widespread dissemination of septic emboli is Fusobacterium necrophorum, a Gram negative anaerobic bacillus. Fusobacteria are commensal organisms in the oral cavity.
F.necrophorum and F.nucleatum are the most important among the non-spore forming anaerobic bacilli in causing human infections. F.necroporum may occasinally cause septicaemia with metastatic abcesses(Lemierre's syndrome).
Pathogenesis
Septic emboli most often originate from extrapulmonary locations which have been infected for a period of time. For example, a person's intravenous access site, which is used to insert intravenous drugs, may become infected. When present in great number, septic emboli can coalesce and mimick a lobar or bronchopnuemonia. The infected site, combined with various coagulants that may be generated by the bacteria or the body, may then break off and enter the circulatory systemCirculatory system
The circulatory system is an organ system that passes nutrients , gases, hormones, blood cells, etc...
, potentially causing a clot.
Identification
A septic embolism can be difficult to identify, as it is often attributed to other disorders or infections of the body. As a result, it may wreak havoc with CT scans. It can also be confused with lymph nodulesLymph node
A lymph node is a small ball or an oval-shaped organ of the immune system, distributed widely throughout the body including the armpit and stomach/gut and linked by lymphatic vessels. Lymph nodes are garrisons of B, T, and other immune cells. Lymph nodes are found all through the body, and act as...
, considering the similarity in shape and size. However, septic emboli usually lodge in the heart valve
Heart valve
A heart valve normally allows blood flow in only one direction through the heart. The four valves commonly represented in a mammalian heart determine the pathway of blood flow through the heart...
s, where there are no lymph nodes.
See also
- Arterial embolismArterial embolismArterial embolism is a sudden interruption of blood flow to an organ or body part due to an embolus adhering to the wall of an artery and blocks the flow of blood, the major type of embolus being a blood clot...