Temporary Survival in Clostridial Hemolysis with Absence of Circulating Red Cells

Abstract

HEMOLYSIS secondary to Clostridium welchii has been described after abortions and surgical procedures. The following case involved complete hemolysis of the circulating red-cell mass in a patient with acute leukemia and survival for several hours with tissue gas exchange occurring by means of plasma hemoglobin:In F.C., a 37-year-old woman, the diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia was made in 1962. Busulfan (Myleran) controlled the disease but in June, 1966, a blast-cell crisis developed, and treatment with vincristine, amethopterin, 6-mercaptopurine and steroids induced a partial remission. Six months later, (in January, 1967), she was hospitalized for hematologic relapse associated with epistaxis . . .