Do we know how to treat C. sordellii infection, exotoxic shock, and sepsis?
Exotoxic shock and sepsis are serious conditions associated with a risk of death, regardless of the circumstances under which they arise. Patients evaluated in an outpatient setting who are suspected of being septic or having exotoxic shock should be referred immediately to a hospital. Medical personnel are advised to take complete blood counts and aerobic and anaerobic cultures from the cervix, endometrium, and blood. In addition, consideration should be given to conducting an endometrial biopsy for gram stain. A positive gram stain (i.e. positive for gram positive rods) along with other clinical findings consistent with C. sordellii should lead to immediate aggressive treatment with IV antibiotics that provide coverage against C. sordellii (e.g. penicillins, clindamycin, gentamicin). There is no evidence, however, that antibiotic treatment is effective once the toxin has spread. The effectiveness of hysterectomy to treat C. sordellii infection following mifepristone medical abortion
