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The Link between Fusobacteria and Colon Cancer: a Fulminant Example and Review of the Evidence

  • Martina King (Department of Medicine, Denver Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) ;
  • Hermione Hurley (Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) ;
  • Kevin R. Davidson (Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) ;
  • Edward C. Dempsey (Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) ;
  • Michelle A. Barron (Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) ;
  • Edward D. Chan (Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) ;
  • Amy Frey (Department of Pathology, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center)
  • Received : 2020.07.03
  • Accepted : 2020.07.23
  • Published : 2020.08.31
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Abstract

Systemic infections due to Fusobacterium may originate in the tonsillar/internal jugular veins or from the abdomen. We encountered a patient who presented with bacteremia, fulminant septic shock, and extensive soft tissue pyogenic infection due to Fusobacterium necrophorum. In addition, there was widespread metastatic colon cancer with the unique finding of pre-mortem co-localization of F. necrophorum and cancer cells at a site distant from the colon. We reviewed the literature of the association of F. necrophorum and colon cancer, and discuss the evidence of how each of these 2 distinct entities may mutually augment the development or progression of the other.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

No funding was received for this manuscript. We recognize the humbling experience in caring for critically ill patients, who we continue to learn from so that others may benefit.

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