Journal of Emergency Practice and Trauma

Fournier’s gangrene following an ant bite in a healthy man: A very rare case report

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

Abbas Edalatkhah 1
Mohammad Ali Jafari 2
Sima Valizadeh 1
Alireza Esmaeili 2
Ehsan Zarepur 3

1 Trauma Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

2 School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

3 Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.34172/jept.2020.02
Abstract
Objective: Necrotizing fasciitis of the perinea, referred to as Fournier’s gangrene, is a necrotizing infection of the perinea. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report on the Fournier’s gangrene following an ant bite and this is a rare case report of this type.
Case Presentation: In this rare case report we describe a 20-year-old man who developed Fournier’s gangrene following an ant bite which resulted in his death. He sustained numerous ant bites in the perinea. Subsequently, he suffered from itching of the area and had scratched the area frequently leading to dermal ulcers and laceration, pain, and swelling of the scrotal area followed by fever and diminished consciousness. Finally, he presented to the emergency room (ER) after 72 hours of ant bites with a shock. Physical examination revealed extensive necrosis of scrotum. The primary treatments including antibiotic therapy, normal saline solution, and dopamine were not effective.
Conclusion: Even a simple nonpoisonous insect bite can lead to Fournier’s gangrene and death. Paying greater attention to the site of bite, especially in the perinea which is anatomically more susceptible to infection, observing hygienic principles, and quick access to healthcare centers may prevent the patient’s death

Keywords

Fournier’s gangrene
Necrotizing fasciitis
Fasciitis
Necrotizing
Case report
Subjects
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Journal of Emergency Practice and Trauma
Volume 6, Issue 2
July 2020
Pages 115-117

  • Receive Date 10 December 2019
  • Revise Date 01 February 2020
  • Accept Date 02 February 2020

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